Season 2011

1. Abigail Washburn

2011-01-03

Watch the singer-songwriter mix American bluegrass and Chinese folk from the NPR Music offices.

2. Gyptian

2011-01-05

The reggae star performs his hit "Hold You" and more from the NPR Music offices in Washington, D.C.

3. David Wax Museum

2011-01-09

The band brings a frenetic, infectious blend of American and Mexican folk to the NPR Music offices.

4. Ballake Sissoko And Vincent Segal

2011-01-17

The masterful kora-and-cello duo performs a transfixing set combining African and European strings.

5. Iron And Wine

2011-01-21

Sam Beam gives a fresh side of his new songs at NPR, and tops it off with a devastating 2004 gem.

6. Basia Bulat

2011-01-24

The Canadian singer-songwriter sings highlights from her two albums, plus a surprise from Poland.

7. Richard Thompson

2011-02-01

Watch the folk-rock legend perform songs from his 20th solo album, Dream Attic, at NPR Music.

8. Stars

2011-02-03

Watch Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell transform three of Stars' songs into spare, pretty folk music.

9. Ivan And Alyosha

2011-02-07

The band showcases its Beatles-esque pop harmonies and sweet melodies from the NPR Music offices.

10. Esperanza Spalding

2011-02-12

The jazz bassist, singer and Best New Artist Grammy winner performs in the NPR Music offices.

11. Turtle Island Quartet

2011-02-16

With an eclectic palette of sounds and styles, the Turtle Island Quartet swings at NPR Music.

12. Adele

2011-02-17

In a three-song set at the NPR Music offices, the U.K. pop star showcases her brilliant voice.

13. Local Natives

2011-02-21

The L.A. band brings its euphoric choruses and clattering Afrobeat rhythms to the NPR Music offices.

14. Damien Jurado

2011-02-28

Hear Jurado's raw, time-worn, authentically graceful music, performed in the NPR Music office.

15. Steve Riley And The Mamou Playboys

2011-03-07

Watch the Grammy-nominated Cajun band play an upbeat yet bittersweet set from the NPR Music offices.

16. Lizz Wright

2011-03-14

In this two-song set at the NPR Music offices, Wright channels the gospel and soul of her past.

17. Nellie McKay

2011-04-04

McKay's bold, audacious personality shines in this set recorded at the NPR Music offices.

18. Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

2011-04-06

Hear the Refugee All Stars' upbeat reggae grooves, performed live at the NPR Music offices.

19. Josh Ritter

2011-04-11

Ritter can't hide his enjoyment of a performance, even when his songs convey obsession or disaster.

20. Otis Taylor

2011-04-13

Watch the banjo player perform his trademark trance-inducing blues at the NPR Music offices.

21. Mount Kimbie

2011-04-18

Watch the dubstep duo perform our first-ever electronic Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR offices.

22. Pokey LaFarge

2011-04-20

Watch LaFarge play '20s- and '30s-inspired music with the help of his band, The South City Three.

23. Steve Earle

2011-04-25

A singer, author, actor and activist, Earle showcases many of his talents at the NPR Music offices.

24. Wu Man

2011-04-27

Watch the world's reigning pipa virtuoso play ancient music from her Chinese homeland.

25. Booker T. Jones

2011-05-02

Jones' name is synonymous with the Hammond B3 organ. Watch him play one in the NPR Music offices.

26. Julieta Venegas

2011-05-09

After six albums, including last year's Otra Cosa, Venegas is still defying expectations.

27. Neil Innes

2011-05-11

Watch the Rutles alumnus play three of his classic satirical songs in the NPR Music offices.

28. Future Islands

2011-05-16

Watch the band's short but intense and cathartic set, performed live in the NPR Music offices.

29. Low

2011-05-22

Singers Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker perform three songs from their gorgeous new album, C'mon.

30. Jackie Evancho

2011-05-23

Watch the 11-year-old perform Handel's "Ombra mai fu" at the NPR Music offices.

31. The Kopecky Family Band

2011-06-06

The Tennessee band's sweet, swollen folk-rock songs keep blooming into something irresistible.

32. The Black Angels

2011-06-08

Hear a bold and surprising mix of sensibilities — at once icy and rustic, cavernous and confined.

33. Chris Thile And Michael Daves

2011-06-13

Watch Thile and Daves play traditional bluegrass with New York intensity at the NPR Music offices.

34. Charlie Siem

2011-06-15

Watch the stylish young violinist pull out a bag of tricks in music by Paganini.

35. The Decemberists

2011-06-20

With Chris Funk and Sara Watkins, Colin Meloy plays three sparkling songs from The King Is Dead.

36. YACHT

2011-06-22

Watch the electro-pop band's striking and infectious performance at the NPR Music offices.

37. The Civil Wars

2011-06-27

Watch Joy Williams and John Paul White's swooning chemistry and stirring harmonies at NPR Music.

38. Milos

2011-06-30

Watch the newcomer from Montenegro play Spanish standards and a passionate ode to his homeland.

39. The Blind Boys Of Alabama

2011-07-05

Hear the gospel greats' mix of polished blues, swinging soul and from-the-gut expressions of faith.

40. Julian Lage Trio

2011-07-07

The guitarist, 23, was once called a prodigy. But he's maturing into a distinctive bandleader, too.

41. Ben Sollee

2011-07-11

The genre-bending cellist and songwriter has created a unique take on folk music.

42. Joe Boyd And Robyn Hitchcock

2011-07-18

Boyd reads from White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s, while Hitchcock plays songs from the era.

43. Y La Bamba

2011-07-21

Watch Luzelena Mendoza and Y La Bamba craft joyfully rich vocal harmonies in the NPR Music offices.

44. Givers

2011-07-24

At the NPR offices, the band plays a sunny, exuberant set, suitable for dancing and bobbing along.

45. They Might Be Giants

2011-07-28

Watch the band perform two of its brand-new songs, as well as "Fingertips," a classic 1992 chestnut.

46. Amanda Shires

2011-08-03

The singer plays a charming set featuring songs from Carrying Lightning at the Tiny Desk.

47. Noah And The Whale

2011-08-10

The London band plugs in its drum machine, but sweet simplicity still reigns in the NPR offices.

48. Paul Jacobs

2011-08-12

Watch the miraculous hands (and feet) of the Grammy-winning organist in an all-Bach performance.

49. Gaby Moreno

2011-08-15

Watch the Guatemalan singer's breathtaking and passionate set at the NPR Music offices.

50. Other Lives

2011-08-18

The Oklahoma band brings its spacious minor-key hymns to the NPR Music offices.

51. James Vincent McMorrow

2011-08-25

The Irishman has one of the most arresting voices of any young singer you're likely to hear.

52. CALLmeKAT

2011-08-29

Watch the synth-pop musician perform a hauntingly beautiful set at the NPR Music offices.

53. Phosphorescent

2011-09-01

Watch Matthew Houck play a stirring, road-ragged solo Tiny Desk Concert at the NPR Music offices.

54. King Creosote And Jon Hopkins

2011-09-04

Diamond Mine's unassuming creators lose little of their charm and mystique in the NPR Music office.

55. Foster The People

2011-09-09

Armed with the summer song of 2011, the band brings "Pumped Up Kicks" and more to NPR Music.

56. Diego Garcia

2011-09-12

Watch the former Elefant frontman perform songs from his album Laura at the NPR Music offices.

57. Sean Rowe

2011-09-16

Rowe brings his booming voice and ever-louder acoustic-guitar set-ups to the NPR Music offices.

58. Jeremy Messersmith

2011-09-19

The Twin Cities singer is a pop genius, with creative ambition to match his considerable charm.

59. Beirut

2011-09-21

Beirut performs worldly, inspired songs from its new album The Rip Tide at the NPR Music offices.

60. Jenny Lin

2011-09-26

The pianist usually plays eight-foot Steinways. See what she does on an electronic keyboard.

61. The Klezmatics

2011-09-28

Ring in Rosh Hashanah with three globe-trotting tunes from one of the world's greatest Jewish bands.

62. Trombone Shorty

2011-09-29

The New Orleans native achieved stardom with his voice and his horn. But he just wants you to dance.

63. Mates Of State

2011-10-05

The band's performance in the NPR Music offices creates a vibe of ragged, awkward intimacy.

64. Fountains Of Wayne

2011-10-06

These songs showcase a band with tremendous narrative gifts and a flair for subtle beauty.

65. JEFF The Brotherhood

2011-10-08

Of course, the power-punk duo took off their shirts at the NPR Music offices, because why not?

66. Grouplove

2011-10-11

The upstart band brings youthful, infectious energy to the NPR Music offices.

67. Chris Bathgate

2011-10-14

The Michigan native's deliberately paced music is too rustic and pretty to be a true downer.

68. Wilco

2011-10-17

Armed with tiny amps and a ton of grace, Wilco plays new songs and an old favorite at the Tiny Desk.

69. Hilary Hahn

2011-10-21

The classical violinist blends Bach and Charles Ives with flair, then tops it off with a fedora.

70. Ben Williams And Sound Effect

2011-10-24

The jazz star and his band perform two songs from their album State of Art at the NPR Music offices.

71. Lisa Hannigan

2011-10-29

Exuding both musical and personal warmth, the Irish singer mesmerized at the NPR Music offices.

72. Juanes

2011-11-03

Watch the charismatic Colombian superstar give an intimate performance at the NPR Music offices.

73. Jens Lekman

2011-11-07

The Swedish singer shows off his humor and charm in this intimate set at the NPR Music offices.

74. Marketa Irglova

2011-11-10

At the NPR Music offices, Irglova mixes the exotic and the familiar; sweetness and longing.

75. Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile And Stuart Duncan

2011-11-17

The genre-bending cellist heads a dream team of string players who borrow from bluegrass.

76. Joe Henry

2011-11-21

Asking the fearless, easygoing singer to perform in a crowded office never felt like an imposition.

77. Hospital Ships

2011-11-23

Hospital Ships' beautiful, crushing songs pack an emotional punch in this performance at NPR Music.

78. Gabriel Kahane

2011-11-26

Hear the agile musician's rigorously crafted songs, which fall somewhere between classical and pop.

79. tUnE-yArDs

2011-12-01

tUnE-yArDs sings of rage and inequality, but also celebrates the joy of letting out a wild sound.

80. I Wayne

2011-12-12

As the cameras rolled, the reggae star came to life, showcasing his smooth voice and vibrant energy.

81. Gem Club

2011-12-16

Maybe you couldn't hear a pin drop when Gem Club played, but you could hear the click of a keyboard.

82. The Music Tapes

2011-12-20

The Elephant 6 alum plays a holiday set compete with bowed banjos, singing saws and tape machines.

83. Maria Volonte

2011-12-27

The Argentine singer blends tango, Latin blues and the traditional music of Brazil and Peru.