TED Talks Music

"Say What!" / "Nervous" | Tolliver

A self-described "dance floor demon," singer-songwriter Tolliver rocks the house with a performance of "Say What!" and "Nervous."

How modern audiences can talk about aging art | Margaret Hall

Some works of art stand the test of time; others don't age as well. Using American musical theater as her case study, theater historian Margaret Hall shares a framework of five categories to talk about how art does (and doesn't) remain useful across generations -- encouraging us to address the "growing pains" that all art faces as time and culture moves on.

"Damballa Wedo" / "The Dilemma" | Melanie Charles

Remixing vocals, scat singing and playing the flute and piano, musician Melanie Charles stuns with a performance of two songs.

"Bright Future Ahead" | KERA

Singer-songwriter KERA performs the powerful, entrancing song "Bright Future Ahead," leaving us with a profound message: "Breathe, and go again."

The ecstasy of Eskista, an ancient Ethiopian dance | Melaku Belay

By mastering the Eskista, an ancient Ethiopian dance, TED Fellow Melaku Belay survived a childhood on the streets and became a voice for his country. He shares how traditional dances can connect the wisdom of the past to the energy of the future -- and, after the talk, delivers a thrilling performance of Eskista accompanied by a free-jazz ensemble. (In Amharic with consecutive English translation by filmmaker Mehret Mandefro)