Season 2011

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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