Listen up! Four experts share their best tips for beginners getting into jazz, the North Carolina musicians who most inspire them, and the records that are essential to any good collection — plus, how to avoid the “jazz police.”
music
23 North Carolina Christmas Songs to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Want to get into the holiday spirit in the most North Carolina way possible? Here’s an Our State-curated playlist of Christmas songs that come from the Land of the Long Leaf Pine.
Papertown Proud in Canton
The rebirth of Canton has been different from that of other small mountain towns: While some have reinvented themselves as tourist destinations, Canton is focused on nurturing a close-knit community.
Buskers and Music at the Crossroads
For nearly a century, North Carolina singers and songwriters have built careers busking for tips in the great outdoors. At these five spots, the kindness of strangers has helped fund some of our most enduring classics.
Essential Travel Tunes for a North Carolina Road Trip
The next time you take a road trip, roll down your windows and turn up the volume on Our State’s curated Spotify playlist featuring 45 songs by North Carolina artists.
Centuries-Old Instruments Handmade in High Point
In a woodworking studio, instruments lost to history are making music once again, while their craftsman finds his true calling.
Quiz: North Carolina Music Venues
Our state’s performance venues bring talent from around the world — and just around the corner — to North Carolina music lovers.
Rhythm & Brews in Lexington
At High Rock Outfitters, explorers, beer enthusiasts, and music lovers find the perfect place for a tune-up.
The Soundtrack of the Decade
In the 1940s, traditional mountain music gives rise to bluegrass, jazz spreads nationwide, and three North Carolina natives make their mark on American music.
