Michael Abels

co-composer for “Omar”

Michael Abels on KCRW

The new opera “Omar” tells the real story of Omar ibn Said, a man who was taken in 1807 from what’s now Senegal, and was enslaved in North and South Carolina.

In ‘Omar,’ Muslim enslaved man tries to retain his identity

The new opera “Omar” tells the real story of Omar ibn Said, a man who was taken in 1807 from what’s now Senegal, and was enslaved in North and South Carolina.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Jordan Peele’s horror movie “Us” opened about a month ago, and it was the biggest opening weekend of any original horror film in history.

‘Us’ composer on writing music that makes your heart stop

Jordan Peele’s horror movie “Us” opened about a month ago, and it was the biggest opening weekend of any original horror film in history.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Ivy broke out in the early 2000s with "Edge of the Ocean." As their album “Long Distance” makes its vinyl debut, the surviving members reflect on its creation.

Fanatic! I hope you had a fantastic October. It was great but as usual, it was over too soon.

from Henry Rollins

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees face off for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. KCRW breaks down how much it costs to attend.

from KCRW Features

Teaming with Latin Grammy nominated composer Tim Bernardes, Canadian jazz-funk greats BADBADNOTGOOD go directly to no. 1 with the new single “Poeira Cosmica.”

A group of Ukrainian musician-soldiers recently stopped in LA on a goodwill tour, bringing gratitude and a healthy dose of appreciation for Hank Williams.

from KCRW Features

The latest film releases include Heretic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Christmas Eve in Miller's Point, and Small Things Like These.

from Weekend Film Reviews

As Greta Gerwig prepares to dive into production on her adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, the director is attempting to persuade Netflix to release her film on thousands of IMAX…

from The Business

Grammy and Oscar-winner Jon Batiste reconstructs Beethoven classics through a blues lens. The resulting album, “Beethoven Blues,” hits no. 1 on KCRW Top 30.

Whether you want to be just a little scared or pushed to the limit, LA has hundreds of different types of haunted houses. Vice Cooler, creator of Haunts of LA, is your guide.

from KCRW Features