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Rock historian Ed Ward looks back at the Jefferson Airplane. Their first four albums have just been re-mastered and re-released.

Commentator Hank Rosenfeld grew up in Detroit, Mich. — and that meant growing up with Motown music and musicians, including Marvin Gaye mowing his lawn.

Those final minutes of the day, when parents everywhere are trying to get restless kids to settle down and go to bed, are what Wynton Marsalis calls "the magic hour." It's also the title of the acclaimed trumpeter's new CD, which he says celebrates the childishness in all of us.

As the Fats Waller centennial approaches, Tom Vitale looks back at a remarkable career in both jazz and popular music. Waller — of "Ain't Misbehavin'" fame — was the first musician to be equally successful among black and white audiences.

This week Koko Taylor became the first female blues singer to received receive a National Heritage Fellowship. We take a moment to listen to her song "Spellbound."

American musical icon Ray Charles died of complications from liver disease Thursday at his Beverly Hills home. In a career that lasted more than half a century, Charles defied categorization and brought his soulful stylings to jazz, pop, country and R&B.

Legendary musician Ray Charles died Thursday at age 73. In honor of his great life and legacy, The Tavis Smiley Show is presenting a two-part tribute to Ray Charles. In 2002, Charles did his last NPR interview with NPR's Tavis Smiley. This is the first part of that conversation -- the second will follow on Monday.

The Tavis Smiley Show producer Roy Hurst speaks with renowned vibraphonist Stefon Harris. The jazz musician's latest CD, a collaboration with a group of sidemen called Blackout, is called Evolution.

The Yongblood Brass Band plays an infectious blend of Dixieland, soul, rock and hip-hop. NPR's Michele Norris talks to members of the group and they perform in Studio 4A.

Whether it's pop or rap, grunge or metal, rock or hip-hop, Christian music today can be found in every genre bringing entertainment to the faithful — and faith to entertainment. Join NPR's Neal Conan and his guests to discuss the business, the art and the success of music with a message. Guests: Jay Howard *Co-author of Apostles of Rock: The Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music *Associate professor of sociology at Indiana University/Purdue University-Columbus *Former Christian radio disc jockey Jay Swartzendruber *CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) Magazine managing editor Jim Bryson *Keyboardist for a popular Christian pop band called Mercy Me!