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New York City's Vision Festival honors New Orleans saxophonist Kidd Jordan Wednesday night. He still remains unknown outside avant-garde jazz circles, but Jordan says that doesn't matter. Staying true to his roots, Jordan teaches music in his hometown, where many of jazz's elite players have studied under him.

Pianist, composer and conductor Robert Kapilow joins Fred Child to explore why the simple and direct song "America the Beautiful" has the ability to touch listeners so deeply. Election Day is a fine time to explore its timeless pull on America's heartstrings.

Hayden's "Worthy of Your Esteem" demonstrates why the singer-songwriter was never meant to be a Beck-level star. The arrangement is pure bedroom-tapes quality, and he still sings in an unassuming, plaintive voice that approaches a mumble. Still, the song is a nuanced beauty.

The 10-piece funky Latin ensemble from Austin, Texas got a big boost last year when Prince chose them to headline the weekly Latin night at his Las Vegas club. Their new album Sonidos Gold features saxophonist Maceo Parker and Fania All-Star Larry Harlow.

He was born and raised in Spain, and came to New York to study — much like a Spanish poet who came before him. The jazz bassist sets the volume Poeta en Nueva York to music in this live broadcast.

Fusing unique instrumentation with a soulful and sometimes playful voice, Sollee defies convention. His Kentucky roots shine through in his debut album, Learning to Bend, through photography, design, videos, and music.

When artists from different bands collaborate on a new project, they usually (or at least hopefully) come up with a completely different and surprising sound — something outside their comfort zone. In the case of the newly formed collective The Accidental, the results aren't terribly surprising; but they are no less compelling. The group of musicians from several British experimental folk groups have a new album of, well, experimental folk. It's not new territory for the band, but it's a cozy, inspired collection.

Hand in glove, Kenny Barron weaves jazz piano into Brazilian samba with Trio da Paz: Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta, and Duduka da Fonseca. The four friends share the bandstand at Jazz Standard in New York.

It's summer — time to get out of the city and head for the open road. These five great driving songs from WNYC's John Schaefer provide the right energy to help ease the transition from urban cityscapes to bucolic countrysides, while holding nostalgia for the city at bay.

Folk singer Radmilla Cody has a repertoire, which consists of songs from the Native American half of her heritage. Radmilla is also African American: Her mother is Navajo, her father is black. While Cody grew up negotiating the cultures of both parents, she tells Farai Chideya that she feels closest to her Navajo side.