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Felix Contreras

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Felix Contreras is a reporter and producer for NPR's Arts Desk specializing in coverage of jazz, world music, and Latino arts and culture. He is also the co-host of Alt.Latino, NPR's new web based program about Latin Alternative music.

As a producer and reporter for the NPR's Arts desk, Contreras has covered arts and technology issues; reported a series of stories on the financial challenges facing aging jazz musicians; and recently profiled a legendary Mexican singer for the "50 Great Voices" series. He once stood on the stage of the legendary jazz club The Village Vanguard after interviewing the club's owner and swears he felt the spirits of Coltrane and Monk walking through the room.

A part- time jazz musician, Contreras plays Afro Cuban percussion with various jazz and Latin bands. He is a recovering television journalist who has worked for both NBC and Univision.

The Record
6:38 am
Wed August 21, 2013

Marian McPartland, 'Piano Jazz' Host, Has Died

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Credit Courtesy of the artist
Marian McPartland.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
In 1997, Dave Brubeck and McPartland taped an episode of Piano Jazz live for an audience in Washington, D.C.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
Guests on Piano Jazz spanned the entire stylistic gamut of jazz, including free improvisers like Cecil Taylor.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
Diana Krall appeared on Piano Jazz in 1994. She had just released her debut album the previous year.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
Billy Taylor, a fellow NPR jazz program host, was McPartland's first guest on-air.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
McPartland and her peer George Shearing both came to the U.S. from England to pursue jazz piano.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
When legendary trombonist J.J. Johnson appeared on Piano Jazz, he brought along the then-up-and-coming bassist Christian McBride.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
Piano Jazz liked to feature up-and-coming musicians --€” in this case, a young Joshua Redman.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
McPartland in the '80s.
Credit Courtesy of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz
McPartland in 1997.
Credit Courtesy of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz
For more than 40 years, Marian McPartland welcomed hundreds of musicians to her Piano Jazz program.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
The great pianist Oscar Peterson taped an episode of Piano Jazz in 1997.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV

The set list for Ravi Coltrane's visit to the program included pieces by his father, John Coltrane: "Giant Steps" and "Naima."

Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
Ray Brown played bass for years in Oscar Peterson's trio and also appeared on the program.
Credit Courtesy of Vanguard
Ray Charles taped an episode of the show in January 1990.
Credit R.J. Capak / SCETV
The episode of Piano Jazz with Bill Evans was later issued as a commercial album.
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Originally published on Wed August 21, 2013 3:23 pm

Marian McPartland, who gave the world an intimate, insider's perspective on one of the most elusive topics in music — jazz improvisation — died of natural causes Tuesday night at her home in Long Island, N.Y. She was 95.

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The Record
1:52 pm
Fri November 16, 2012

Jesse & Joy, Juanes Win Big At Latin Grammys

Credit Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images
Jesse & Joy accept one of their four awards during the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on Thursday.
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Originally published on Fri November 16, 2012 3:31 pm

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Music
11:01 pm
Tue October 18, 2011

Girl In A Coma: Rockers Tackle Their Second Language

Credit Josh Huskin / Courtesy of the artist

Girl in a Coma performs in both English and Spanish — though none of the members is fluent in the latter.

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Originally published on Fri October 21, 2011 3:19 pm

Girl in a Coma is a trio of young women from San Antonio who play rock music — loud rock music — in both English and Spanish. Lead singer and songwriter Nina Diaz, 23, is the youngest member of the band. Her sister Phannie plays drums, while their longtime friend Jenn Alva slaps the bass. Girl in a Coma is signed to Blackheart Records — a label owned by rocker Joan Jett — and takes its name from the song "Girlfriend in a Coma" by The Smiths.

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