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In some parts of the country, it wouldn't be summer without that fried dough treat, funnel cake. And for one man, who's known in some circles as the Funnel Cake King, they've helped make the American Dream come true. Frank Wilmer, a.k.a. Apple Frankie, talks with NPR's Vikki Valentine about his career in the funnel cake business.

Pianist Laurence Hobgood has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene for years. He has recently come to prominence as pianist, musical director and co-producer for the much-celebrated jazz singer Kurt Elling. The pianist gives an interview and performance on Piano Jazz.

In his native Puerto Rico, a jazz drummer found that his friends could all get down to Fela Kuti. So in New York, Cole assembled an 11-piece band to locate the African heart of Caribbean party music.

The current political situation sent Firewater's Tod A. around the world to discover more music and culture. The musicians he met inspired him to return home and share what he gained. In an interview and performance from KEXP, Tod A. reveals the fruits of his travels.

Reggae music has gone a lot of places over the years, from minimalist dub to culture-warring dancehall. Almost 40 years on, Spear still hews to the reggae basics: a deep, easy groove; brassy R&B flavorings; and a mystical take on history. His new CD is Jah is Real.

On his new album, Young Jeezy uses his motivational rasp to raise the spirits of people facing rising gas prices and unemployment rates. Though he's not a great rapper by traditional standards, the young Atlanta MC pads his raps with what he does best: big, clunky punchlines and inspirational refrains.

Piano Jazz showcases another bright young pianist, Jeremy Siskind. Having recently graduated from the Eastman School of Music, Siskind has already won several impressive competitions and attracted the attention of Piano Jazz's host. His skills have taken him to Japan and around the U.S.

Loudon Wainwright's new double album, High Wide and Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, is a tribute to the old-time country banjo player who died in 1931. The singer-songwriter explains the motivations behind the project — and why Poole was such an influential country pioneer.

Though the Congolese music known as soukous was Africa's biggest pop-music style in the '70s and '80s, it only reached the U.S. in bits and pieces. But a new anthology by the musician known as Franco goes a long way toward completing the puzzle.

McCartney and Youth returned to work as The Fireman for their third and latest release together, Electric Arguments. McCartney entered the studio, without any material, and recorded 13 songs in 13 days. The legendary artist reveals how his alter ego allows him the freedom to experiment.