Aug 24th, 2008 · During 40 years as fiction editor of the New Yorker magazine, William Maxwell worked with luminaries like Vladimir Nabokov and John Cheever. His own writings were often overshadowed by his job — but now they've been reissued by the Library of America to mark the centennial of his birth. NPR's Jacki Lyden finds out more about the man and his words.
Aug 12th, 2008 · Among the political luminaries attending the Beijing Olympics are Henry Kissinger and former President George H.W. Bush. Kissinger was a national security adviser for Richard Nixon who opened up U.S. relations with Communist China in the 1970s. Bush served as the senior U.S. diplomat in Beijing in the early days of U.S.-China relations.
Dec 24th, 2007 · Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, who grew up in Montreal and called Canada home for his whole life, has died at the age of 82. He led the Oscar Peterson Trio for much of the 1950s and collaborated with jazz luminaries Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson and others.
Sep 24th, 2007 · The world's longest-running jazz festival celebrates its golden anniversary with a specially commissioned piece by Gerald Wilson and performances by many jazz luminaries. Hear NPR's coverage and a selection of concerts recorded by WBGO.
Sep 20th, 2007 · Gerald Wilson's specially commissioned piece, Monterey Moods, aims to celebrate all the forms of jazz that have passed through the city. He and many other jazz luminaries, including Dave Brubeck, celebrate 50 years of the Monterey Jazz Festival this weekend.
Jun 30th, 2007 · Ben Sidran's latest release is a whopping 24-CD box set -- and not a second of it features any actual music. Hear the jazz pianist and former NPR host speak about his new compilation of interviews with luminaries of the jazz world.
Dec 31st, 2006 · On Saturday, the last in a series of funeral tributes to James Brown was held in Augusta, Ga. The event was filled with luminaries from the cultural world, including a surprise appearance by Michael Jackson.
Nov 20th, 2006 · Bobby Bare, Jr. grew up in country music's capital, Nashville, Tenn., the son of singer Bobby Bare. His storied upbringing is filled with Music City luminaries like Waylon Jennings and Jerry Reed -- both friends of his father's -- and he was even nominated for a country Grammy at 5 for a duet he sang with dad. The younger Bare's music, however, is anything but country.