WYSO’s music coverage celebrates the power of sound to connect, inspire, and tell stories. From in-depth features on local and regional musicians to live performance recordings and explorations of musical traditions, our reporting captures the diversity and depth of musical expression in Southwest Ohio and beyond. Whether it’s bluegrass, hip-hop, jazz, classical, or experimental sounds, WYSO highlights the artists, venues, and audiences that make music a vital part of our community. Through programs like Excursions, The Outside, and Kaleidoscope, we bring you new voices and timeless sounds with the storytelling and soul of public radio.
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Christian McBride and John Clayton celebrate the centennial of their mentor, the legendary bassist Ray Brown, with stories and music. -
Local musicians are encouraged to apply to participate in the 2027 Dayton Battle of the Bands at the Brightside in downtown Dayton. -
NPR HealthLi won a Pulitzer for her memoir about the suicides of her two sons. In her new novel, Music Against the Night, she writes about two young prodigies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. -
Wolf's latest album emerged from a period of major personal change, including a breakup and getting sober. -
Laufey sees libraries as an important third space at a time when younger generations are yearning for something that feels physical and nostalgic. -
The documentary "Smooth World" explores the world of smooth jazz: its waning popularity, the remaining stars, its aging but passionate fanbase, and those trying to move the genre forward.
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New music from Iconic Fugues, Star Moles and Baby Wave handpicked by WYSO and Novaphonic assistant music director Evan Miller. -
Behind the Desk, Draco Rosa creates shimmering, electric guitar-driven ruminations on life and love. -
October 3 and 4 marked the 2026 outing for Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. The Five Rivers MetroParks event combines the best of outdoor activity with music, food and more at Eastwood MetroPark. -
"I just want to make people really feel things about the world they live in," Grian Chatten says of Dopamine Chamber, which he describes as the band's attempt to map the tensions of our moment. -
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Danielle Ponder about her new album, "Everything Has Changed."
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Saxophonist and composer Immanuel Wilkins talks about the impact that winning a 2026 MacArthur Fellowship will have on his art.
