Melding songs and paintings is the latest project from Jon Langford, a native of Wales and veteran Chicago rocker who shows no signs of slowing down.

Meet Chicago’s master of the mandolin. Don Stiernberg joins us to talk about playing a traditional instrument in a modern way – and performs live in studio with his trio. View a web extra performance.

Frankie Knuckles, Chicago's "godfather" of house music, died at age 59. Brandis Friedman has the story of his impact on Chicago's music culture. Watch a 2004 Artbeat special about Knuckles, and read thoughts and reflections from Chicagoans about the legendary DJ.

A new phenomenon in hip hop music, called drill music, is unique to Chicago and gaining in popularity. We talk with one of the genre’s rising stars and examine the criticisms of the music’s lyrics. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

Melanie Kupchynsky has been a violinist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years. She began playing the violin at the age of 4 and her first teacher was her father, known to everyone else as “Mr. K.” After her father's death, Kupchynsky co-wrote a book called Strings Attached, recounting the lessons learned from her father. Read an excerpt from the book, view photos, and listen to music clips.

Chicago is getting some big names in the music industry coming to perform this summer. Who is worth the money, and which shows are must-sees? Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot has the scoop.

A few years ago, Jay Shefsky introduced us to banjo prodigy Noam Pikelny when he had just joined mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile as part of his band, Punch Brothers. Pikelny is now nominated for a Grammy. We take another look at Jay's story.

Kids from around the country come to a Chicago summer camp to learn to play the blues. We revisit Blues Camp.

A pair of Chicago bands prepare for the spotlight at the Pitchfork Music Festival. We visit them in rehearsal to find out what they're all about.

Mozart. Beethoven. Radiohead? What is modern classical music, and what are its influences? We talk with one of today's modern classical composers.