60 Copyright 2026 Minnesota Public Radio https://www.yourclassical.org/podcast/rhapsody-in-black Rhapsody in Black en https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/rhapsody-in-black YourClassical podcasts@americanpublicmedia.org episodic false https://img.apmcdn.org/c4ea1cc06c2e72c713fb883bcfd839393818bdb5/square/3ef302-20220126-rhapsody-in-black-jpg-2000.jpg Rhapsody in Black https://www.yourclassical.org/podcast/rhapsody-in-black Herbie Hancock is a musical innovator 01K7HY0DB40QRS7JQXX8DBDBSP YourClassical Herbie Hancock helped rewrite post-bop language and reimagined the rhythm section as a conversational engine. But his musical imagination wouldn’t stop at jazz. He has continued composing for film and the concert hall alike. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Miles Davis reinvented the jazz scene 01GW514S75X4XKFSJVMX06232X YourClassical Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis redefined the genre in subtle and caustic ways. While he had great success he was always restless for innovation. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Tenor Lawrence Brownlee uplifts African American music and youth 01H7DCF46GQFYVNV9B5J6JBF8Z YourClassical Tenor Lawrence Brownlee is conscious of how the work of Black singers in the past have helped him succeed in his career, and he intends to do the same for upcoming young singers. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 07:02:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Conductor Anthony Parnther pushes classical music to new thresholds 01J450WAW0YA1C5QGTNQZRKME5 YourClassical 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.

]]> Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Tania León is a master at weaving diverse musical influences together 01H08TM378N83VFHWEPP9B6N6T YourClassical Tania León has been hailed as an astoundingly original composer and a music ambassador who continues to impact classical music significantly. Her story inspires, showcasing her perseverance and commitment to excellence in the face of adversity. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Wynton Marsalis has jazz and classical chops 01GYWPE7QGEKR671CQV7VSXPPF YourClassical Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is internationally known for his outstanding career in jazz. Many don’t know that he has also found success in classical music. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Duke Ellington defied mid-20th century labels with 'The Queen's Suite' 01HEQZSRMKFSG13VVDQWKJ2Y8X YourClassical Pianist, composer and innovator Duke Ellington is famous today for his jazz and swing music. However, he had a few other visions kicking around in his tool box, including some memorable suites such as ‘The Queen’s Suite.’ Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false William Dawson's Tuskegee Institute legacy 01JMZJHAP1FJS0WWPQ132N28JK YourClassical When William Dawson was 12, he ran away from home to study music at the Tuskeegee Institute. In 1930, he returned to his roots as director of the Tuskeegee School of Music, a post he held for 25 years. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Damien Sneed is a musician of many skills and genres 01H5QH038ZNHH79EDC98BJVCKH YourClassical A musician of multiple hats and genres, Damien Sneed is recognized today as a pianist, vocalist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer and arts educator in high demand. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Florence Price meets Frederick Stock 01FTXGX3KCVKYWRWG0G6NZBY1B YourClassical Composer Florence Price dealt with many systemic barriers in her pursuit of musical greatness. Find out how her hard work paid off after she won a composition competition and formed a partnership with Chicago Symphony Orchestra conductor Frederick Stock.

]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Violinist Randall Goosby enjoys meteoric rise but remains grounded 01HAHPF36PRAW7CBH3P8F3411M YourClassical Randall Goosby has been playing violin since he was 7, including studying with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the trajectory of his career shows no signs of slowing down. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Celebrating Julia Perry 01GYDEFKP3FHR73PRCZRBY1WQ4 YourClassical Composer Julia Perry for years existed only in the margins. Lost to time because of structural racism and sexism in America, her works are finally getting renewed attention. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:02:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Composer Jessie Montgomery uses music to connect with the world 01HQRRF99BVD8W17WTP2AE2R5C YourClassical On the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast, we learn about Jessie Montgomery, a composer, violinist and educator whose music helps her connect with the world. Listen now.

]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a young and promising classical music superstar 01HD1VRS7P3WPSM2DM4VASN00A YourClassical At 19, Sheku Kanneh-Mason became the first Black musician to win BBC Young Musician of the Year. A genuine classical music superstar who grabbed the spotlight early, he continues to focus on what is most important to him: the music, the cello and music education. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason grew up in a family surrounded by music 01HA86KK3AQYP8ZWCT5BB06ZRB YourClassical 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.

]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Roberta Flack was the shepherd of a new R&B sound 01GTF21W3A06A842774WN3B5AG YourClassical Pop artist Roberta Flack grew up classically trained and continued to love the music even when revolutionizing the R&B scene. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Melanie DeMore uses her voice as a 'weapon of mass connection' 01HZMNEJDNZTKQZTECV7PY4WKM YourClassical Community leader and musician Melanie DeMore uses the power of her voice to bring people together and create meaningful connections in her community and beyond. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Awadagin Pratt is opening doors for young Black classical artists 01J4PSQAHD95VVPDR5TYPCY9AB YourClassical 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.

]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Gil Scott-Heron's message for the 1970s — and today 01JK90EVPSXJK60P5WGKJB7KYF YourClassical Gil Scott-Heron was a self-described “bluesologist,” and a bold voice of social activism in music in the 1970s and 80s. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Moses Hogan created community through worship 01GR6WX0ZNZZDJFJJSP7TCS17R YourClassical Choir director Moses Hogan, who died at 45 in 2003, built community through worship and song. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000 00:04:59 false Paul Robeson was a brilliant star who was almost erased 01HBXFMVVA5H8VAYZJ37ZGW80C YourClassical Columbia University graduate and polyglot Paul Robeson was a bass-baritone who advocated for the performance of African American spirituals in classical spaces. Considered a ‘darling of the entertainment industry,’ he was almost erased from history for his outspoken activism. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Paul Freeman meets MLK 01HP2E3XQXE60JNZYWAPMPDDPS YourClassical Find out how a chance meeting with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped give composer and conductor Paul Freeman the resolve to make classical music more inclusive and diverse on the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast. Listen now.

]]> Thu, 15 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Margaret Bonds and the words of Langston Hughes 01FVFPBYTBKS7NP04NGPV9CWKW YourClassical Margaret Bonds dealt with racism as she broke barriers for future generations of Black women composers. Find out how the words and friendship of renowned Black novelist Langston Hughes helped her with that struggle in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 08 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Carlos Simon's 'Good News Mass' 01JGETSP55H2VC7EDS2573GFVG YourClassical Carlos Simon is a Grammy-nominated composer and an activist for Black and brown representation in classical music. His latest work, ‘Good News Mass,’ is unlike anything he’s done before. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 01 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Everett McCorvey and the American Spiritual Ensemble keep our heritage alive 01GVKBVX21MAGW2DQT7PZYSE1K YourClassical Founded in 1995 by Everett McCorvey, the American Spiritual Ensemble teaches about the history and traditions of enslaved people in America through the power of music. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 25 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Duke Ellington's 'Black, Brown and Beige' fuses jazz with classical orchestration 01HJ55HHJD0SR0PD54VR0QA80E YourClassical Duke Ellington once said, “All arrangements of historic American Negro music have been made by conservatory-trained musicians who inevitably handle it with a European technique. It’s time a big piece of music was written from the inside.” That piece of music premiered in 1943 in Carnegie Hall, and it was titled ‘Black, Brown, and Beige.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black‘ podcast.

]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Grammy winner Jon Batiste recounts his life in 'American Symphony' 01HH0MCN51TFJKB6DY99G0FNG3 YourClassical Right after Jon Batiste won the Grammy for album of the year in 2022, he spent three weeks sleeping in a hospital couch as his wife, Suleika Jaouad, received a bone marrow transplant for Lukemia. Now, the couple recounts the ups and down of their recent years through the Netflix documentary, ‘American Symphony.’ Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Mary Lou Williams is perfect for concert halls and jazz clubs 01H08TNB22GZSJQQMCH9MK6568 YourClassical Mary Lou Williams’ artistic vision and her ability to blend diverse musical influences into a cohesive and unique composition are perfect for concert halls and jazz clubs. Find out more on the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Thanksgiving's longstanding connection with gospel music 01KAY002A1C9R3W278M7TJ8Q17 YourClassical Before the turkey and pies, Black households across America would start their holiday in church. Hymns like “Come Ye Thankful People, Come” were sung with spirituals like “Give Me Jesus.” That choral tradition became the soil from which soul music grew. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Imani Winds have faith in music as their core value 01GZXYG1VXJGCD52D7A1CMRPTS YourClassical 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.

]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false