NPR Music

For better or for worse, jazz has been in a constant state of change since the day it was born.

The pioneering pianist Thelonious Monk left behind a treasure trove of compositions. Onstage at the KC Jazz Club at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., a current jazz treasure is here to play some of the best.

Bill Dees, who kicked off the creative process that produced one of rock 'n' roll's greatest songs — Oh Pretty Woman — has died. He was 73.

Mollie O'Brien and Rich Moore appear here on Mountain Stage, recorded live on the campus of the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minn.

A quintet from Monterrey, Mexico, Kinky formed in 1998. Dust Brothers' John King — who has worked with Beck, The Rolling Stones and The Beastie Boys — produced the band's latest album, Sueño De La Maquina (Dream Machine).

The band is nominated for Latin Grammy Awards in the categories of Best Alternative Music Album and Best Alternative Song, and is also nominated for Best Latin Artist North at the MTV Europe Awards. Dream Machine mixes hypnotic lyrics with electronic rhythms.

Richie Hawtin came up in the Detroit techno scene during the '90s and built his reputation on minimalist dance music. It's not for everyone, but those who follow any of Hawtin's numerous aliases do so with impassioned vigilance. Hawtin is a regular winner of international DJing awards and has a devout following in Europe.

Here, Hawtin performs live as part of Moogfest 2012 in Asheville, N.C., on Oct. 26.