Portraits of summer by Ray Charles, Vivaldi, Gershwin, Janis Joplin, Luciano Pavarotti, Sting and a few others for an hour of superb music.

A moving portrait of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Elis Regina, and Helo Pinheira, the Girl from Ipanema.

Beloved throughout the northern and southern hemispheres, composer, pioneer and performer from Rio de Janeiro, “Tom.”

The thriving jazz scene black American musicians created in Paris in the 20s and 30s. Above, Eddie South.

Josephine Baker leading the way for black American musicians fleeing Jim Crow for Europe.

Music to warm your heart.

Music to “weight [your] eyelids down and steep [your] senses in forgetfullness.”

Sampling some of the standouts for this year’s Oscar nominations for Best Original Song and Best Soundtrack.

A celebration upon the 50th anniversary of Keith Jarrett’s masterpiece, the Köln Concert.

Music of the heavens and a few words on the close approach of Mars.

Music for the long cold month of January, and a brief review of Yip Harburg, above.