David Byrne

Tribute concerts usually honor musicians who’ve passed away. This weekend in Brooklyn, though, a gala show honored a mysterious master who’s alive and well – but no longer makes music.

Schoolhouse Rock, the 1970s and 80s animated shorts that taught a generation of school kids about how a bill becomes a law and just what function a conjunction has, inspired Alex Timbers to blend history and music in his musicals. The young director is out with his latest mashup, Here Lies Love, looking at Imelda Marcos.

Dirty Projectors manage to be both avant-garde and accessible – the band plays experimental rock you can still dance to. They’ve collaborated with Björk and David Byrne, and been covered by Solange Knowles (sister of Beyoncé).

Anchor Marco Werman finds that one commercial during the Olympic broadcast on NBC is introducing Americans to a cool chapter in Brazilian musical history.

Brazilian-born Cyro Baptista was named the 2007 Percussionist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. He’s on Fair Game to discuss his music, and his latest album, Banquet of the Spirits.