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The religious sect known as Shakers, responsible for the song "Simple Gifts" and thousands of others, is almost gone — and a non-Shaker is trying to keep the group's musical history alive.

Instead of playing the same old tune, male song sparrow's sing a variety of songs to keep potential mates interested.

Piano Jazz celebrates the centennial of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton. "Hampi" is credited with establishing the vibes as a jazz instrument. In this program from 1989, Hampton plays some of his classics such as "Flying Home," and shows off his pianistic and vocal abilities on "Mack the Knife."

One of the great trumpeters of the swing era, "Little Jazz" talks about a career that includes collaborations with Fletcher Henderson, Gene Krupa and Billie Holiday. In this session from 1986, Eldridge also shows off his piano chops and vocal gifts.

Wilson's Loverly won the 2009 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. With a wide variety of standards — from "St. James Infirmary" to "Til There Was You" — she stretches out on Loverly at the Chicago Symphony Center.

Deepak Ram is a master of the bansuri, an Indian bamboo flute, and is known for a series of North Indian classical music albums. On his latest record, Steps, he turns to American jazz, reinterpreting classic standards on one of India's most traditional instruments.

Bassist Ben Williams is a rising jazz star. He won the 2009 Thelonious Monk Competition and received a recording contract for his debut album, State of Art, which was released this summer. Williams brought his band Sound Effect to perform two songs from that album at the NPR Music offices.

John Hodgman, master raconteur, will expand your spiritual horizons, with his compendium of lesser-known geists and ghosts. Then the Cabinet doors open wider with great music, comedy, and a true travel tale... worthy of a bad road-trip movie.

The bassist joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1945, when she was just 16 years old. She died over the weekend while performing.

On Orange, an album devoted entirely to her work, the young, Pulitzer-winning composer salutes a centuries-old genre.