Rhapsody in Black

Raised in a family surrounded by music, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason has worked hard to become a successful concert and recording artist. She had help along the way, primarily from her parents, who made sacrifices to ensure that she and her six younger siblings have all had wonderful music educations. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Jimi Hendrix, who set London’s club scene ablaze and literally set his guitar ablaze while performing at Woodstock, also had a burning desire to study classical music. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

The Imani Winds has had faith in commissioning new works that uplift the profile of BIPOC composers and performers. They have been doing so for over a quarter century. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Chi-Chi Nwanoku, founder of the Chineke! Foundation and Orchestra, is a champion of Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians in Europe. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Awadagin Pratt is a professor of piano at the University of Cincinnati and the recipient of multiple awards. He’s never shied away from talking about his experiences as a Black man in classical music, and he’s working to make it a more welcoming space. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Conductor Anthony Parnther knows how uncomfortable it can be to walk into a room and not see anybody who looks like you. That’s why his career has focused on advocating for Black composers and changing the perception of what classical music should be. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Composer Colridge-Taylor Perkinson combined classical, jazz and popular music to build a varied career that advocated for the Black community, especially its performing artists. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Named one of the most influential Black people in the United Kingdom, composer Shirley Thompson writes music that inspires and fights against Eurocentrism in classical music. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Composer, performer and arranger Cassie Kinoshi has taken on the role of musical mad scientist by mixing together Black American jazz, West African and Caribbean rhythms, and Western classical music in a process of compositional nuclear fusion. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Tenor Henry Thacker Burleigh was a gifted tenor who dedicated himself to the Black spiritual tradition. He worked closely with composer Antonín Dvořák, and their friendship helped Dvořák unearth the heart and soul of American music. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

Sly5thAve is a multifaceted musician from the greater Austin area. His arrangements fuse his education in jazz saxophone, his classical arranging skills, his Nigerian roots and more to create a whole new musical experience. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.