Black Music Seen
The Black Music Seen Podcast highlights and celebrates Black musicians in genres where Black people are seldom seen. Produced by the Black Orchestral Network, Black Music Seen serves to lift our voices and tell our stories.
Episodes
On today’s episode, we’re joined by violinist, writer, and cultural historian Rosalyn Story.
For more than 30 years, Rosalyn Story has performed violin with the Fort Worth Symphony — but her artistry doesn’t stop there. She’s also a novelist, a journalist, and a passionate keeper of Black musical history. Whether chronicling the legacy of opera trailblazers like Sissieretta Jones or guidi...
In today’s episode, we’ll meet 23-year-old Quenton Blache, a remarkable cellist and composer. Quenton has performed with prestigious groups like the National Youth Orchestra of the USA and Sphinx Virtuosi. He has also been commissioned to create works for the Sphinx Virtuosi, North Carolina Chamber Music Institute, and Little Orchestra Society.
Quenton is particularly passionate about composing for visu...
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Beverly Kane Baker—a pioneering violist whose career has spanned decades, stages, and generations. From her early training at Juilliard to her role as principal violist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Beverly has carved out a legacy grounded in excellence, community, and spiritual purpose.
In our conversation, she reflects on growing up in a music-filled neigh...
On today’s episode, We’re highlighting the Gateways Music Festival — a powerful meeting ground for Black classical musicians from across the country. It’s more than a festival. It’s a home. A reunion. A proving ground.
You’ll hear from four extraordinary artists who carry that legacy forward: Alex Laing, Curtis Stewart, Melissa White, and Damien Sneed.
From world premieres to reimagined cla...
On today’s episode, we’re talking with Carlos Simon—a Grammy-nominated composer, cultural storyteller, and one of the most influential musical voices of our time.
Carlos’s music blends gospel, jazz, classical, and cinematic soundscapes to tell stories that speak to our collective memory, our spiritual traditions, and the urgency of now. From his work with the Kennedy Center and Boston Symphony to his bold compositions like Requiem ...
Today, we’re joined by a rising star whose artistry is captivating audiences worldwide—18-year-old pianist and composer Rhyuhn Green. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rhyuhn has already made waves with his award-winning single Symbiosis, featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk and From the Top, as well as performances with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Curtis Institute of Music. A Kovner Fellow at Juilliard, Rhyuhn’s talent extends beyond cla...
This month, we’re bringing you an extraordinary episode of Black Music Seen, recorded LIVE at our BON Summit this past October!
Featuring two brilliant scholars: Dr. Matthew Morrison and Dr Richard Desinord, we explored the obstacles that hinder the integration and expression of Black cultural aesthetics in so called classical music.
What do we mean when we t...
On today’s episode, we’re talking with The Uptown String Quartet, a group that was formed in the 80s and guided by the legendary American drummer and Composer Max Roach. The group started as a double quartet that played with Max’s band and later became a group that consisted of violinists Diane Monroe and Lesa Terry, Max’s Daughter - Violist Maxine Roach and their late colleague, cellist Eileen Folson.
...
Black Music Seen presents a special episode in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!
This episode of Black Music Seen is a heartfelt tribute to Pete ‘El Conde’ Rodriguez—the legendary Afro-Latin salsa singer whose legacy has shaped generations. In this episode, his children, Cita Rodriguez and Pete Rodriguez Jr., are joined by their cousin, Emilio Carlo, the Black Orchestral Network’s Director of Projects and a classically train...
On today’s episode, we’ll meet George Lewis. A Chicago-born trombonist, technologist, musicologist, and composer.
He’s the Artistic Director of the International Contemporary Ensemble and the Edwin H. Case Professor of American Music at Columbia University. He’s widely recognized as a trailblazer in modern music, particularly for his groundbreaking work in creating computer programs that...
On February 24th, the Black Orchestral Network hosted a captivating live episode of Black Music Seen at SphinxConnect24. Facilitated by David Norviile, the episode featured an intergenerational panel discussion with four esteemed guests: Dale Allmond Breidenthal, Francisco Joubert, Jennifer Arnold, and Joseph Conyers.
In this engaging episode, the panelists delved into our evolving orchestral landscape and explored the pursuit of a...
Today's episode honors women in classical music. Join Lexi Ligon Halloway, Deja Wilson, Jennifer Arnold, and Ebonee Thomas from the BON steering committee as they lead an inspiring conversation celebrating the contributions of women in classical music. Plus, hear submissions from our amazing community.
In this episode, we'll meet Dale Allmond Breidenthal, a distinguished violinist hailing from Los Angeles, CA, with roots deeply embedded in the vibrant West Adams/Crenshaw District. Dale's musical journey began at the University of Southern California, where she honed her craft under the tutelage of renowned violinist Eudice Shapiro. Following her graduation, Dale embarked on a remarkable career trajectory, earning a co...
From the Inaugural Black Orchestral Network Summit 2023 - BLACK MUSIC SEEN LIVE:Voices of Black Empowerment - a facilitated conversation about history of activism and Black Musicians
Speakers: Dr. Fredara Hadley, Ethnomusicology Professor at The Juilliard School Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle, University Distinguished Professor of Music at Miami University in Oxford, OH David Norville, Producer for New York Public Radio’s WQXR
In today’s episode, we’ll meet Booker Rowe. A Philadelphia born violinist who played for just over 50 years with the Philadelphia orchestra. He sat down with us to tell his story and even agreed to chat with two of our Black Orchestral Network founding members with whom he has a pretty special connection .
Booker, like so many Black musicians we’ll hear from in this series carries with h...
In today’s episode, we’ll meet Rufus Olivier Jr. - the principal bassoonist for the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. He joined the symphony in 1977 at only 21 years of age after winning the position for 2nd bassoon. When the Symphony split from the Opera, Rufus auditioned for the Opera and won the principal position. In 1992 he won the principal audition for the Ballet as well.
Today’s episode takes us through the life and times of the harpist Ann Hobson Pilot - a black woman whose talent and prowess as a harp player shattered the color barrier of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1969, leading her to forge a decorated career as a harpist, inspiring many of the Black classical musicians of today.
For over 4 decades Ann forged an awe-inspiring career through some...
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