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"There was a lot of tears. There was a lot of anguish," Jimmy Greene says of writing Beautiful Life.

"There was a lot of tears. There was a lot of anguish," Jimmy Greene says of writing Beautiful Life. Jimmy & Dena Katz/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

itoggle caption Jimmy & Dena Katz/Courtesy of the artist

'Page One'

After Sandy Hook, A Saxophonist Remembers A 'Beautiful Life'

by Craig LeMoult

Jimmy Greene's new album is dedicated to his daughter, one of the 20 children killed in the elementary school shooting. "She showed love," he says, "to everybody she came in contact with."

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Herbie Hancock and Pharrell Williams performed Williams' hit "Happy" at the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition.

Herbie Hancock and Pharrell Williams performed Williams' hit "Happy" at the 2014 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition. Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz hide caption

itoggle caption Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz

'Page One'

A Jazz Institution Moves Back Home To Los Angeles

by Alex W. Rodriguez

Jazz's highest-profile competition recently crowned a new victor in a star-studded gala. But for the Thelonious Monk Institute, competition is only a small part of its desire to be back out West.

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Steve Coleman practices in his backyard in Allentown, Penn.

Steve Coleman practices in his backyard in Allentown, Penn. Jeff Fusco/Courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation hide caption

itoggle caption Jeff Fusco/Courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Steve Coleman, Saxophonist And Innovative Composer, Named MacArthur Fellow

A restless formal inventor who draws from science, spirituality and extensive personal travels, Coleman has also mentored many major jazz musicians to develop their own languages and systems.

Charles Gayle was honored with a lifetime achievement award at this year's Vision Festival. On the event's opening night, Gayle performed as his alter ego, Streets the Clown.

Charles Gayle was honored with a lifetime achievement award at this year's Vision Festival. On the event's opening night, Gayle performed as his alter ego, Streets the Clown. John Rogers for NPR hide caption

itoggle caption John Rogers for NPR

'Page One'

The Future Of Intense Art: A Free-Jazz Event Looks Forward

by Giovanni Russonello

The artist-run Vision Festival, now in its 19th year, remains as staunchly committed to its mission as ever. But as its audience ages, it's sowing seeds of community outreach and childhood education.

Wynton Marsalis leads a group of musicians through upper Manhattan's Riverside Church for the New Orleans-style funeral of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton in 2002.

Wynton Marsalis leads a group of musicians through upper Manhattan's Riverside Church for the New Orleans-style funeral of vibraphonist Lionel Hampton in 2002. Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Doug Kanter/AFP/Getty Images

Take Five: A Weekly Jazz Sampler

In Memoriam: Jazz Elegies WFIU-FM

Around 1945, jazz's traditional funeral rites manifested in a more modern form of tribute. Now, some of the music's most powerful tunes are written in memory of late colleagues. Hear five examples.