BRUITS | WRTI

WRTI's Best of 2021

Despite the challenging year we've all had, music has endured—elevating our lives during the darkest days and the brightest ones. Here's what our classical and jazz hosts/producers have selected as the best of the best for 2021. Check out picks from: Melinda Whiting, John T.K Scherch., Mike Bolton, Kevin Gordon, Zev Kane, Susan Lewis, Bob Perkins, Matt Silver, Bobbi Booker, Maureen Malloy, and J. Michael Harrison.

John Scherch: Imani Winds, Bruits

This features both excellent performances of wonderful 21st-century music and too-necessary commentary about the state of our country. I could say more, but ensemble members Monica Ellis and Toyin Spellman-Diaz put it just fine in their conversation with Susan Lewis. Here’s Reena Esmail’s “The Light is the Same,” the more optimistic side of the record, about our shared humanity.