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 Billie Holiday and 'Strange Fruit' 01JMFNWRBNRJTNT48KB6K8SJGK YourClassical Jazz singer Billie Holiday discovered “Strange Fruit,” Abel Meropol’s protest song against lynching In 1939. It became her closing number at all of her performances at Café Society and the best selling record of her career. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +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, 22 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Stevie Wonder, the influential artist who transformed R&B and funk music 01H41JN97W91HAZXE39AVETGGN YourClassical Explore the legendary career of Stevie Wonder, the influential artist who transformed R&B and funk music. From his soulful voice to his groundbreaking compositions, learn about his classical music roots, record-breaking hits and his magnum opus. Find out more on the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Pamela Z expands the boundaries of classical music 01JC4FJNFGG36A5Z1JR4F042C0 YourClassical Pamela Z is a visionary artist who embraces new ideas about identity and technology in her music. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Julius Eastman composed music that challenged oppressive stereotypes 01HF9XM30YVZ3GNHSFCG3TSE6Y YourClassical Composer and pianist Julius Eastman’s personal philosophy was, “To be what I am to the fullest.” A graduate of the Curtis Institute, his music was highly acclaimed and challenged racist and homophobic stereotypes. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Clarinetist Anthony McGill promotes connection, equality and justice 01HASM3CPB0J9EMDSN2V2XWYT5 YourClassical Clarinetist Anthony McGill is the principal clarinetist with the New York Philharmonic, the first Black musician to hold a principal chair in the orchestra’s 178 year history. During his time there, he has wowed audiences and impressed critics with his technique and silky tone, but he has also used the platform to promote social justice issues, specifically racial equity in classical music. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 24 Sep 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, 17 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Violinist George Bridgetower left his mark on Beethoven 01G4ZHHCZ0XVP5XVSWMQARVQQK YourClassical Violinist and composer George Bridgetower was good friends with Ludwig Van Beethoven. So much so that Beethoven wrote a violin sonata just for him. Find out more in the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 10 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Afro-Brazilian guitarist Plinio Fernandes uses unique style to inspire and teach new generations 01H9NT6VRJ097XNZ0793GCTW5D YourClassical Afro-Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes’ style is a unique alchemy of the Brazilian folk and popular songs he grew up with, Latin classical traditions, and the Western canon. Now located in London, Fernandes’ recently released his debut album, ‘Saudade,’ and is working to teach and inspire new generations of musicians. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2026 05:00:00 +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, 27 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Cassie Kinoshi creates vibrant musical landscapes 01J2F2S6KA462NYGJ2PX3NZ52F YourClassical 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.

]]> Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Black Violin mixes hip-hop and classical to create an unabashedly Black sound 01HTJTBDVM5RWV551QXGTRK1AQ YourClassical The award-winning strings duo Black Violin has been mixing classical and hip hop for over twenty years. The group’s goal is to make the violin and viola sound naturally and unabashedly Black. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Andre 3000 is a musician who never stops exploring 01HNG75PEC93G41BFSJWQK3W1G YourClassical Hip-hop artist and composer André 3000 released his latest album, ‘New Blue Sun,’ in 2023. The album centers around compositions with wind instruments and is result of his need to explore and the many influences around him, both jazz and classical. Find out more in the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Damien Geter is 'breaking down the barriers of what classical music should be' 01HJ7HPS01M10HYGY9P1R2S9AK YourClassical Composer Damien Geter began his musical path as an educator before becoming an acclaimed vocalist. But now, his path as a composer is ‘breaking down the barriers of what classical music should be.’ Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Omar Thomas composes music rooted in Black and LGBTQIA+ liberation and affirmation 01HQ6EHCYKRHHJCHKT7SEQC3K1 YourClassical On the latest episode of the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast, we learn about Omar Thomas, a composer whose music is rooted in topics such as Black liberation and affirmation, including those who are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Listen now.

]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Grammy-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods pushes boundaries of classical music 01HV48HFWYSVGC46PK543CT69N YourClassical Seth Parker Woods is a cellist who wholeheartedly embraces new compositions, artistic innovation and pushes the boundaries of classical music. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Conductor Kedrick Armstrong looks to the past and the future 01JCH1DAQ1RYRFKQKE6Y2416X3 YourClassical Conductor Kedrick Armstrong uses both archives and youth education to serve the longevity of classical music by working to represent everyone in the concert hall. Find out more on the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Aaron Dworkin has cultivated a community through music 01GZXXS6GNB28KKRDEHM5NZHJS YourClassical American violinist and music educator Aaron Dworkin saw a need to diversify classical music and made it his life’s work. Find out more in the latest episode of the 'Rhapsody in Black' podcast.

]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:02:00 +0000 00:05:00 false Quincy Jones was a legend across genres and decades 01K6DQKFJZ34GGPQYT59VXTD8H YourClassical At his core, Quincy Jones was a composer and arranger whose voice was shaped by the world of classical music. His ability to weave Black musical traditions into classical frameworks opened doors for new generations of Black and Brown composers. Find out more in the ‘Rhapsody in Black’ podcast.

]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +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, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000 00:05:00 false 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