Ayana Contreras on Muck Rack

Ayana Contreras

Chicago, Denver
As seen in: DOWN BEAT, KUVO-FM (Denver, CO), NPR, Medium, The New York Times, Bandcamp Daily, Chicago Sun-Times, Flipboard, The Boston Globe, WBUR-FM (Boston, MA), Chicago Reader, Literary Hub, LAist and
vinyl record/fashion archaeologist. VP of radio @RMPBS, frmr @vocalo/@wbez. writer @DownBeatMag. occasional podcaster @nprmusic. author Energy Never Dies.

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Ayana Contreras’s Journalist Portfolio

A Chicago Showcase Glows at NYC's Winter Jazz Fest

A Chicago Showcase Glows at NYC's Winter Jazz Fest

In the mid 1970s, Keith Barrow, like so many Chicago artists of his era (from Chaka Khan to Earth Wind & Fire…

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Boogie, Skating & Benson

Boogie, Skating & Benson

Mark Anthony Lee is a former Stax Records session player who trekked from Memphis to Venice Beach and back (a…

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Nothing but Sweet Potato Pie

Nothing but Sweet Potato Pie

Ayana Contreras's riff on the representation of the sweet potato in pop culture.

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Articles

New Music Friday: The best albums out June 26

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By Stephen Thompson Verified, Ayana Contreras
| WFPK-FM (Louisville, KY) Verified
Welcome to New Music Friday, NPR Music's podcast dedicated to sharing the best albums out each week. We listen to dozens of new releases in advance, identify the ones we think you need to hear, and highlight our favorite five in a brisk mix of clips, context and commentary. The podcast is hosted by NPR Music's Stephen Thompson, and each episode features a member of the NPR Music Network of public radio stations.
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New Music Friday: The best albums out June 26

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By Stephen Thompson Verified, Ayana Contreras
| NPR Verified
New Music Friday: The best albums out June 26 : All Songs Considered : NPR Music Beth Orton. Chanel Beads. Cécile McLorin Salvant. Host Stephen Thompson chats with Ayana Contreras from KUVO in Denver about their favorite new albums out Friday, June 26. Plus, a handful of NPR Music writers and critics offer their personal picks in the lightning round.
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Reviews: Bucket o’ New Blue Note

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By Ayana Contreras
| DOWN BEAT Verified
Review, From the Magazine, Ron Carter, Bill Frisell, Walter Smith III, Immanuel Wilkins By Ayana Contreras   I  Apr. 7, 2026 Walter Smith III joins a lofty group of new releases from Blue Note that includes recordings from Ron Carter, Bill Frisell and Immanuel Wilkins. (Photo: Travis Bailey) Jazz and gospel are close blood relations. And fortunately, those Saturday night and Sunday morning worlds sometimes intertwine.
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