Music Features Explore Artists, Scenes, Legacies

The articles explore how musicians and music cultures are shaped by their histories and influences. Hattiesburg’s live venues and contemporary artists keep Mississippi blues traditions evolving, while Haruki Murakami’s early jazz experiences and years running Tokyo’s Peter Cat bar helped shape his creative life. Frank Zappa’s unconventional sound and commitment to artistic authenticity are examined alongside the jazz musicians and Los Angeles session players who contributed to Freak Out!, the Mothers of Invention’s debut album. A film about Madness, meanwhile, depicts the band’s working-class early years and the path from struggling north London musicians to chart success.