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Save the date for the return of the Library's concert series to the airwaves on December 30, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET on WETA. Enjoy a broadcast of the February 12, 2024, "Rhapsody in Blue" at 100 concert featuring The U.S. Air Force Band and pianist Simone Dinnerstein. The Library of Congress is home to the George and Ira Gershwin Collection.
On December 15, 2024, the music world celebrated the 88th birthday of "El Sonero Mayor," the legendary ten-time Grammy winner, NEA Jazz Master, American pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader and social advocate, Eddie Palmieri. As the community honors his remarkable life and legacy, we are thrilled to share highlights from our recent conversation before his performance at the historic Coolidge Auditorium on October 18, 2024.
Concerts from the Library of Congress continues to celebrate a century of landmark concerts in spring 2025, offering a rich and diverse kaleidoscope of classical music, jazz, pop, folk and dance events, with a major focus on American contemporary voices across genres. “This spring our events present a broad perspective on the Library’s storied history …
On Friday, October 18, the Music Division had the honor of presenting 10-time Grammy winner, NEA Jazz Master, “El Sonero Mayor,” American pianist, composer, arranger, band leader and social activist, Mr. Eddie Palmieri. In 1975, Palmieri won the first-ever Grammy in the category of Best Latin Music Recording with his album “The Sun of …
After much anticipation, we are excited to unveil our Fall 2024 Centennial Season, featuring a remarkable lineup of groundbreaking commissions, vibrant musical celebrations, and heartfelt tributes to iconic artists. The 2024-2025 season is the centerpiece of our commemoration of the 100th birthday of Concerts from the Library of Congress. Join us as we honor a …
The 2023-2024 season of Concerts from the Library of Congress came to a rousing conclusion on June 20 with a performance by New Orleans-based band Cha Wa. As final preparations are made for the 2024-2025 season announcement, the Music Division is pleased to share a multitude of concert and event videos that have been released …
On May 9, 2024, composer/pianist Vijay Iyer and violinist Curtis Stewart of PUBLIQuartet performed the world premiere of Iyer’s What Isn’t Hard to See at the Library of Congress. The work was commissioned by the McKim Fund at the Library of Congress, which supports the performance and commissioning of works for violin and piano by …
The Concerts from the Library of Congress series embarks on a two-day immersion into the horn trio repertoire this coming weekend. Per usual, we’re pulling out all the stops, with the help of the distinguished Takt Trio (Austin Wulliman, violin, David Byrd-Marrow, horn, and Conor Hanick, piano). Two Library of Congress commissions will receive their …
This season, Concerts from the Library of Congress has showcased the Library’s jazz collections for the esteemed performing artists who have appeared on the series. We are dedicated to fostering reflection and perspective by connecting these artists with our varied collection, ensuring that the work of major artists from the past century remains available to …
Editor, publisher, and contributor Lee Mergner shares the history of JazzTimes, which went from a marketing circular to an award-winning music magazine. The collection, which arrived in late March 2024, contains publicity photographs as well as the work of photographers noted for their distinctive style.
The Library of Congress Music Division is proud to be the new home of guitarist and bandleader Eddie Condon’s Gibson L-7 Plectrum guitar, which was custom made for him in 1965. The guitar (pictured below) features a carved spruce top with a sunburst finish. Donated in 2023 by Maggie Condon, Eddie’s daughter, the guitar is …
Home to the George and Ira Gershwin Collection, the Library of Congress celebrates the 100th birthday of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with a special concert and a look at how the Library's collections tell the story of the work's creation and reception.
The following is a guest post by 2023 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar and 2024 Grammy Nominee Lakecia Benjamin. In many ways, 2023 was a breakout year for me. I was blessed to be able to perform the music I love, meet new people and experience different countries, languages, and cultures. Most people don’t know …
*** Registrations will be available starting at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, January 17, 2024*** The Library of Congress is transitioning to a new event registration service called “Etix,” and starting tomorrow (January 17, 2024) at 10 a.m. EST you can register for February-June Concerts from the Library of Congress events. The easiest way to …
The Library of Congress is proud to offer free digital programming from its collections for the enjoyment of audiences that are not able to attend our live events in Washington, D.C. The Music Division works with colleagues throughout the Library to ensure that past events in the Concerts from the Library of Congress series, educational …
It is a great pleasure to announce the winter/spring 2024 events of Concerts from the Library of Congress—we have prepared a broad array of concerts, conversations, lectures and films that we are excited to share with you. With 27 events and more to come, there is something for everyone. On February 12 we will begin …
This December Chief  Adjuah takes the stage at the Coolidge Auditorium (Friday, December 1 at 8 p.m.). Known for his dynamic and genre-defying music, Chief Adjuah will perform his latest studio-recorded album, “Bark Out Thunder Roar Out Lighting.” Chief Adjuah’s upcoming performance marks the first of two scheduled artists this season, both contributing to a …
If there is a country that many South Americans love, it is Brazil. Its popular music and culture extend across its borders, offering a universal and common language for festiveness, as well as closeness and inner feelings.  Brazilian music has also inspired and influenced American music and culture, which is evident in the National Recording …
We are very excited to announce the fall 2023 Concerts from the Library of Congress events. We are grateful to all of the people who worked to get the Coolidge Auditorium ready for action again in time for our fall concerts, and we are crossing our fingers that these unexpected challenges are all behind us! …
We are delighted that our Salute to Strayhorn, a festival of events dedicated to the life and work of Billy Strayhorn, will take place in multiple venues at the Library of Congress from June 8-10. These events have been delayed for years due to forces beyond our control, but at last we will be returning …
The repairs in the Coolidge Auditorium are ongoing, and we are thankful for the flexibility of our artists and audiences as we strive to present all that we can in alternative venues. After the success of our two February events that took place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Concerts from the Library of Congress is …
The following is a guest post from Jessica Grimmer, Ph.D., an MLIS student at the University of Maryland completing her field study at the Library of Congress as a member of a team processing the Jessye Norman Papers.  In her 2014 memoir, Stand Up Straight and Sing, American opera star Jessye Norman recounts a chance […]
The Music Division welcomes jazz drummer, composer, bandleader, producer, and educator Terri Lyne Carrington as the 2021 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar. In a field where female instrumentalists’ presence is scarce, Carrington is a powerhouse three-time GRAMMY award-winning recording artist, drummer, Doris Duke Award recipient, NEA Jazz Master, and Founder and Artistic Director of the […]
Take a look at four new jazz scores added to the Charles Mingus Collection: “Alive and Living in Dukeland,” “Three or Four Shades of Blues,” “Cumbia and Jazz Fusion,” and “Todo Modo.”
The performing arts world has always included many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) members. This blog post introduces a new resource from the Music Division that emphasizes these artists and their accomplishments.
Spring is finally here! And, our virtual May events are around the corner. We have a fantastic lineup of events for all music lovers. We start the month with the French Ensemble Correspondances led by conductor Sébastien Daucé evoking an evening at the court of Louis XIII at the Palace of the Louvre. Then, we […]
It feels great to be able to announce the full return of Concerts from the Library of Congress to the Coolidge Auditorium! We have a wonderful series planned for you this year, to be revealed in two parts. You can read the press release for the fall segment here. While we will continue to have […]
The Music Division is excited to welcome Nashville vocalist, pianist, and songwriter Kandace Springs to the Library of Congress. Springs and her all-women trio will present a virtual performance of her most recent album, “The Women Who Raised Me.” Her program pays tribute to legendary female singers, including Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, and […]
The following is a blog post from 2021 Library of Congress Jazz Scholar, Terri Lyne Carrington. As I took a walk on a cold February afternoon in Massachusetts, I continued working through feelings I have formed in response to the inequities women have faced in jazz. Although I thought I was taking a break walking, […]
The following is a blog post from first author Kaleena Black and co-author Claudia Morales. It was published on NAFME “Music Educators Journal”– September 2021 issue Kaleena Black is an Educational Resources Specialist at the Library of Congress.  She can be reached at kblack@loc.gov. Claudia Morales is a Concert Producer at the Library of Congress.  She […]