A 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a simple mission: to open minds through Music!
06/05/2026
Today, on World Environment Day, we celebrate the planet that connects us all. 🌱🌍
Just as music transcends borders, protecting our environment is a shared responsibility that unites communities around the world. Every action, whether that’s big or small, helps create a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come!
How are you making a difference today? 💚
Welcome back for another Friday reveal! Did you guess the correctly? This week’s instrument is the… Teponaztli! 🇲🇽🎵
The teponaztli is a traditional slit drum associated with central Mexico and broader Mesoamerican musical traditions. It is typically carved from a hollowed wooden log and produces a clear, resonant wooden tone that carries well in open spaces. Instead of using stretched skin, an H-shaped slit is cut into the wood, creating two carefully shaped tongues that produce two distinct tones when struck.
In Mexica, or Aztec, society, the teponaztli played an important role in ceremonial and communal life. It was used in religious, royal, military, and public ceremonies, often accompanying dance and structured performance. Surviving codices and archaeological examples show that it was deeply integrated into ritual practice and public ceremony.
A special thank you to Martin Espino for sharing his knowledge and helping bring the history and sound of this remarkable instrument to life! To learn more about Martin’s work exploring the sounds, music, dance, stories, and culture of ancient Mexico, visit his website:
http://www.martinespino.com/
What did you find most interesting about the teponaztli? Let us know in the comments! 🎶
06/04/2026
We all have a story to tell, but finding the first step to share it can be hard.
What if you had a step-by-step guide to help you begin?
Join five-time The Moth StorySLAM champion Jitesh Jaggi for a creative, welcoming workshop on turning real-life moments into meaningful stories. Through guided prompts and simple exercises, you’ll start shaping your own first draft and gain the tools to share it with confidence.
Come for the writing. Stay for the connection.
📅Saturday, June 13 | 3:00 PM
📍The World Music Foundation Listening Room
📍1066 W Granville, Chicago, IL
🎟️Free admission: https://theworldmusicfoundation.org/events/jitesh/
06/03/2026
It’s time for another installment of What’s That Instrument Wednesday!
This week’s mystery instrument carries rhythm, ceremony, and storytelling through sound. Played by striking carefully tuned surfaces, it can create more than one pitch and has long been connected to important public, spiritual, and royal occasions.
💫 Hint 1:
This instrument is part of a percussion tradition where rhythm helped support ceremonies, songs, dances, and community gatherings.
💫 Hint 2:
Its sound comes from careful carving: a hollowed wooden body and tuned sections cut into the surface allow it to produce distinct tones when struck.
💫 Hint 3:
Historical examples show that this instrument held a special role in ceremonial life and was often treated as more than just a musical object.
Think you know the answer? Drop your guess in the comments! 🥁
The big reveal is coming soon! 🌟🎶
Gil Scott-Heron was a poet, activist, and one of the foundational voices of spoken word in early hip-hop. His work challenged systems, sparked conversations, and pushed people to think deeper about the world around them. When he said, “You have to learn and keep learning,” it wasn’t just about school, it was about growth, awareness, and staying open to truth. Learning is a lifelong responsibility. It shapes how we move, how we lead, and how we create change. Though he passed away on May 27, 2011, his words and impact continue to inspire new generations to question, learn, and seek truth. What's something you’ve learned recently that changed your perspective?
05/30/2026
It's time for WMF Staff Picks! A series where, the WMF staff shares the soundtrack that helps tell their story.
Today's picks come from Verity!
Here is what she had to say:
"Music has woven through generations of my family, with many being talented singers and musicians. Ever since I was young, my mother, my sibling, and I listened mainly to R&B and pop music.
I can think of many memories of us singing together, singing along to Whitney Houston and Filipino artists like MYMP. Coincidentally, the music I enjoy today is similar to what they used to listen to. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve met wonderful friends who have become family and have expanded my music horizons.
Today, my music taste is calming yet catchy, and mainly centers on the emotions of love. Maybe the music I’ve learned to cherish along the way is an unspoken, unheard love letter to my family."
Thanks for sharing, Verity!
Have you heard any of Verity's picks? What are your thoughts?
Be sure to share your favorite albums in the comments below!
&B
05/28/2026
🚨New interview alert! 🚨
Check out our new interview with the awesome, Purbayan Chatterjee and Mark Lettieri!
This episode we discuss their new album Feathered Creatures, the power of musical collaboration, and how music can be elevated when cultures share ideas with openness and creativity.
📺 Watch now on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asvOR0Waciw
05/26/2026
Today, we join the music world in mourning the passing of Sonny Rollins, one of the most influential tenor saxophonists in jazz history.
Known as the “Saxophone Colossus,” Rollins helped shape the sound of modern jazz through his bold tone, fearless improvisation, and lifelong dedication to growth. Across a career that spanned more than six decades, he recorded landmark albums such as Saxophone Colossus, Way Out West, A Night at the Village Vanguard, Freedom Suite, and The Bridge. His compositions, including “St. Thomas,” “Oleo,” and “Airegin,” became lasting parts of the jazz repertoire.
Rollins was also honored with two Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and recognition as an NEA Jazz Master. His music, discipline, and searching creative spirit will continue to inspire generations of musicians and listeners.
Rest in peace, Sonny Rollins. Thank you for the music.
1619: The Journey of a People is a powerful one-man show that explores generations of history and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality.
Through storytelling, theater, and historical insight, Ted Williams III brings to life the journey from the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in 1619 to the Civil Rights Movement and modern struggles for justice. Join us for an impactful experience that honors generations of endurance and helps connect the past to America’s present reality.
📅Saturday, May 30 at 3:00 PM
📍The World Music Foundation Listening Room
🛣️1066 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL
Reserve your space now!
🔗 https://theworldmusicfoundation.org/events/1619-thejourneyofapeople/
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." — Beverly Sills
Beverly Sills understood that meaningful achievements are built over time, through persistence, discipline, and a willingness to keep learning.
Her words remind us that progress isn’t about rushing to the finish line. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and allowing growth to happen step by step. The journey shapes the destination just as much as the destination inspires the journey.
What’s something you’re committed to right now that requires patience and steady effort?