Cécile McLorin Salvant, Brad Mehldau, Rachael & Vilray, David Byrne, Mary Halvorson, Natalie Merchant & More
New Cécile McLorin Salvant pre-order * Brad Mehldau in the New Yorker * Rachael & Vilray top jazz chart * David Byrne Oscar nom * Mary Halvorson on NPR * Natalie Merchant at Blackberry Farm * and more
Available to Pre-Order
Cécile McLorin Salvant: Mélusine
Available March 24 on CD/digital; May 19 on vinyl
Cécile McLorin Salvant's album Mélusine features a mix of five originals and interpretations of nine songs, dating as far back as the 12th century, mostly sung in French along with Occitan, English, and Haitian Kreyòl, that tell the folk tale of Mélusine, a woman who turns into a half-snake each Saturday after a childhood curse by her mother. Mélusine agrees to marry Raymondin on the condition that he never see her on Saturdays. He agrees but is later convinced by his brother to break his promise, piercing his wife's door with a sword and finding her naked in the bath, half snake, half woman. When she catches him spying on her, she turns into a dragon and flies away, only to reappear every time one of her descendants is on their deathbed.
News From the Nonesuch Journal
Watch: Cécile McLorin Salvant Shares "D'un feu secret" Video
Cécile McLorin Salvant has released the track "D’un feu secret," a 1660 air de cour by Michel Lambert, from her upcoming album, Mélusine, and an animated video for it made by Amanda Bonaiuto.
Brad Mehldau Talks with New Yorker
"Brad Mehldau is arguably the greatest working jazz pianist," writes the New Yorker's Andrew Marantz. They wander among Mehldau's old West Village haunts to discuss his upcoming album of Beatles tunes and his new memoir in the latest issue's Talk of the Town.
Rachael & Vilray Debut at No. 1 on Jazz Chart
Congratulations to Rachael & Vilray, whose new album, I Love a Love Song!, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Current Traditional Jazz Albums chart!
David Byrne Nominated for Academy Award
Congratulations to David Byrne, who has been nominated for an Academy Award, with Ryan Lott (of Son Lux) and Mitski, for Original Song, for "This Is a Life," from the film Everything Everywhere All At Once. Son Lux is also up for Music (Original Score), another track from which features Randy Newman.
Listen: Mary Halvorson Talks with NPR’s Essential Tremors
"Mary Halvorson's work is vibrant and alive, agile and electric, fluid and inventive, all of which are particularly in evidence on her latest release [Amaryllis and Belladonna]," says Matt Byars, co-host of NPR's Essential Tremors. She talks with Byars and co-host Lee Gardner about songs by Jimi Hendrix, Yusef Lateef, and Robert Wyatt that helped shape who she is. You can hear why on the episode, a collaboration with Big Ears Festival, where Halvorson will perform this spring.
Watch: Natalie Merchant Performs Live at Blackberry Farm
Natalie Merchant, whose new album, Keep Your Courage, is due April 14, performs the title track to her 2001 album Motherland in a new Blackberry Sessions video. She was joined by guitarist Erik Della Penna in making the video while at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee in November as part of its annual Americana Music Association weekend.
Nonesuch Events for the Weekend
John Adams leads the LA Phil, Julia Bullock, and others in performances of his opera Girls of the Golden West at Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA. Kronos Quartet performs at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall and in Saratoga Springs. Brad Mehldau is at NYC’s Village Vanguard. Mandy Patinkin is at Strathmore in Bethesda. Cécile McLorin Salvant tours California.
Carin Goldberg
We are saddened by the passing of Carin Goldberg, who designed nearly two dozen Nonesuch albums, including works by John Adams, Steve Reich, Caetano Veloso, Kronos Quartet, and the voices of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares. Tributes by several colleagues, students, and friends have been gathered by Debbie Millman at Print magazine.