New Music Monday gets off to a quick start with great stuff from Aimee Mann, Band of Horses, Ben Folds Five, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Marillion.

Saxophonist, flautist and composer Tia Fuller has stated that “the Beyoncé gig has helped me to really appreciate the artistry and freedom that we have in jazz,” a conclusion borne out of five years performing in the pop diva’s band.

Announcing a genre as “dead” is as old as music itself. Jazz is dead, rock is dead, pop is dead, rap is dead, country music is possibly dead or should be, metal is dead, classical music is dead or at least most of the guys writing it are dead, soul is dead.

Unlike most of the rest of Nebraska, here there is no ominous subtext, no angst, no life about to be split apart. Instead, it’s just a guy rocketing down the highway toward his girl