Louder: A mission to put ‘Native sound back into jazz’

Plus: The Raincoats' Gina Birch, Algiers, Iris DeMent and more

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 24, 2023 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor In January 2020, Michael Powell sent me an email: While living on the Navajo Nation and reporting for a book, he had come across a compelling jazz act. Obviously, we got a little delayed, but this week his story on the Delbert Anderson Trio finally arrived. Anderson, who leads the group, is a Navajo musician who fell in love with jazz when a combo visited his elementary school. His group incorporates elements from traditional Navajo "spinning songs" of love, healing and courtship and has found admirers around the globe. But the challenges of life in a small New Mexico city — for musicians struggling to support families while balancing debates over Indigenous identity — are plentiful. Also this week, Lindsay Zoladz interviewed Gina Birch of the beloved post-punk band the Raincoats, going solo at 67 and still very much an inspiration; Hank Shteamer profiled Christian McBride, a jazz musician with an impressive résumé who's always got his eye on the next collaboration; and Stephen Deusner spoke with Iris DeMent, a crucial voice in American music who disappears for stretches, only to re-emerge when she has something to say. (And she sure does now.) Plus a Critic's Pick review for Algiers by Jon Pareles, 10 new songs on the Playlist and a SZA Popcast. Brad Trone for The New York Times Delbert Anderson's Mission: Putting 'Native Sound Back Into Jazz' The trumpeter's trio takes inspiration from traditional Navajo songs. Its work has stirred up global interest, as well as conversations about the responsibilities of Indigenous artists. By Michael Powell Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT THE CRITICS & POPCAST THE PLAYLIST U.S. Girls' Luxuriously Absurd Disco, and 9 More New Songs Hear tracks by Gracie Abrams, Ashley McBryde and Skrillex. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz CRITIC'S PICK Algiers Blasts Songs of Damage and Redemption on 'Shook' On its fourth album, the Atlanta band welcomes guest voices and pushes itself even harder. By Jon Pareles SZA's Very Roundabout Path to Success A conversation about the singer and songwriter's chart-topping "SOS," and the different approach to star-making that brought her there. Live Performance in New York: Here's What to See This Spring "Life of Pi" and Laura Linney on Broadway, Lise Davidsen at the Met Opera, SZA on tour: Here's what we're looking forward to this season. By Steven McElroy, Joshua Barone, Siobhan Burke, Jon Pareles, Brian Seibert, Lindsay Zoladz and Roslyn Sulcas FEATURES Guy Bolongaro for The New York Times The Raincoats' Gina Birch Goes Solo (and Still Makes the Floor Rattle) At 67, a member of one of post-punk's most influential bands is releasing "I Play My Bass Loud" and reflecting on decades of work pushing boundaries. By Lindsay Zoladz Lyndon French for The New York Times Iris DeMent Is Worried About the World. So She Made Another Album. The singer and songwriter, 62, takes her time between releases, making sure she has something to say in her music. She has found inspiration once again. By Stephen Deusner Edölia Stroud for The New York Times Christian McBride, Revered in Jazz, Is Playing the Long Game At 50, the bassist is always focused on the next gig and fresh collaborations. His 18th album as a band leader is due this month. By Hank Shteamer Alex Welsh for The New York Times A Dave Brubeck Cantata Boasts Star Soloists: His Sons "The Gates of Justice," a large-scale 1969 choral work about relations between Black and Jewish Americans, is being performed in Los Angeles. By Zachary Woolfe Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT FILM & TV 'Naatu Naatu' From 'RRR' Is a Worldwide Hit, but It Draws on Very Local Traditions The composers and choreographer explain how they created the propulsive sequence that is nominated for best song. By Nicolas Rapold Chantal Anderson for The New York Times 'Daisy Jones & the Six' and the Ballad of Making Rock 'n' Roll TV After more than a year of delays and adjustments, the big-budget adaptation of a best-selling novel about music, love and fame hopes to become this year's irresistible streaming series. By Katherine Rosman NEWS THE CHARTS SZA Makes It Nine Weeks at No. 1, and Rihanna Returns to Top 10 "SOS" is now the longest-running No. 1 album by a woman since Adele's "25" seven years ago. By Ben Sisario David Bowie, and His Personas, Will Live On at Victoria and Albert Museum The London museum will house more than 80,000 items from the star's music career at a new David Bowie Center for the Study of Performing Arts. It will open in 2025. By Remy Tumin Nipsey Hussle's Killer Sentenced to 60 Years to Life in Prison Eric R. Holder Jr. was found guilty of first-degree murder last year in the 2019 killing of Hussle outside a clothing store he had founded in Los Angeles. By Johnny Diaz R. Kelly Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Sex Crimes The singer will serve most of the sentence in federal prison at the same time as a 30-year term for racketeering and sex trafficking. By Robert Chiarito and Julia Jacobs Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT OBITUARIES Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images Huey 'Piano' Smith, New Orleans Rock 'n' Roll Cornerstone, Dies at 89 With songs like "Don't You Just Know It," "Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu" and "Sea Cruise," he put a firm backbeat behind joyful nonsense. By Jon Pareles Lennox McLendon/Associated Press Tom Whitlock, Writer of 'Top Gun' Anthem 'Danger Zone,' Dies at 68 Mr. Whitlock's songs, including the chart-topping "Take My Breath Away," were central to the 1986 movie. By Daniel Victor STYLES Yoko Ono at 90 She has made it long past the days when she was vilified. In a '60s-style happening in Central Park, fans sang and danced for an artist whose critical reputation is on the rise. By Jim Windolf CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK Pharrell Threads the Needle Why Louis Vuitton chose Mr. Williams as its new designer of men's wear. It's bigger than hip-hop. By Jon Caramanica Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving Louder, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018