10 biographies and memoirs for the nonfiction reader in your life
These true stories range from a "meow-moir" of a Siberian cat to an exploration of what U.S. presidents do after the White House. Check out these nonfiction reads recommended by NPR staff and critics.
Music & Culture Events
-
In Person
GBH Jazz Nights with Fabiola Mendez
GBH Music and JazzBoston are co-hosting a new series to showcase the breadth of incredible jazz talent in the Greater Boston area. The event is held on the second Thursday of every month through February.
This month, Fabiola Mendez and her quartet will be performing original selections from their newest album "Flora Campesina," a fusion of Puerto Rican folk melodies with Afro-Caribbean and Jazz influences.
Tickets are free, but registration is encouraged. Please note that by registering for this event you agree to receive email communications from GBH Music.
About Fabiola Mendez:
Fabiola Méndez is a Puerto Rican cuatro player, singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer focused on the exploration of culture and identity through story-telling. Her music is a blend of Folk, Afro-Caribbean & Jazz, with the cuatro, a ten-string traditional guitar of Puerto Rico, as the lead melody. Recognized as the Latin Artist of the Year by the Boston Music Awards, Fabiola and her band have performed on national and international stages, including: NPR Tiny Desk, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, the Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston, the Harris Theater in Chicago, Santurce Fine Arts Center, among many others. She has received numerous awards, such as the Quincy Jones Award, the Brother Thomas Fellowship, ASCAP Lucille and Jack Yellen Award 2022 and a Children's and Family Emmy nomination for Outstanding Interactive Media in 2023. Fabiola holds a Bachelor's in Music from Berklee College of Music, where in 2018 she became the first graduate to play the Puerto Rican cuatro as principal instrument.
-
In Person
GBH Jazz Nights Featuring Vessela Stoyanova
This month, Vessela Stoyanova plays jazz inspired by Balkan folk music, with her electric marimba, Valerie Thompson on cello, and Fabio Pirozzolo on percussion. -
In Person
GBH Jazz Nights Featuring Jesse Taitt
GBH Music and JazzBoston are co-hosting a new series to showcase the breadth of incredible jazz talent of pianist and composer Jesse Taitt shares music that celebrates resilience, ancestry, and community. Tickets are free, but registration is encouraged. Please note that by registering for this event you agree to receive email communications from GBH Music. GBH Jazz Nights are made possible by the Goldstein Family Fund.
Concerts to Watch
JazzNOW: A Salute to Duke Ellington, featuring Aardvark Jazz Orchestra
GBH Music, JazzBoston, and the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra present a special tribute to Duke Ellington to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the iconic jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader's birth.
Sign up for GBH newsletters
GBH offers several newsletters focused on the topics that matter to you.
Culture in the News
‘A Kwanzaa Keepsake’ invites families to celebrate with their own traditions
A refreshed version of Dr. Jessica B. Harris’ 1995 book features update recipes, biographies, rituals and more.
-
Boston's ECO is in the 'fiery furnace of a murderous world'
The Engima Chamber Opera's artistic director, Kirsten Cairns, says this Britten production is especially timely. -
Front of the Line: Mitski kicks off Boston shows, tells city to get therapy
Mitski started her four-night stay at MGM Music Hall in Fenway Thursday night. -
Why the 'Battle of Versailles' still resonates 50 years later
On Nov. 28, 1973, a fashion show rocked the Palace of Versailles and forever changed our understanding of style.
GBH Music
More Culture Programs
-
Aigul Akhmetshina Performs "Habanera" from Carmen at the Met
Aigul Akhmetshina and the Met Chorus perform "L’amour est un oiseau rebelle"| 1:34 -
Sneak Peek at Rodgers & Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary
Enjoy a sneak peek from the star-studded concert.| 0:30 -
A Star-Studded Performance of "Edelweiss"
The cast of "Rodgers and Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary" perform "Edelweiss."| 2:28 -
Patrick Wilson Performs "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin"
Patrick Wilson performs "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin" from "Oklahoma."| 2:36