Black classical musicians have been composing substantial music for centuries. This February, we shine the spotlight on a score of great composers with roots in Africa.

Black classical musicians have been composing substantial music for centuries. This February, we shine the spotlight on a score of great composers with roots in Africa.

Ovation brings you your daily dose of favorite classics… and the best lesser-known music you haven’t heard yet. Host Ken Zahnle has been hand-crafting themed classical music programs for Tri States Public Radio since 1987. Whether he’s featuring a composer for the morning, exploring the musical history of the day’s date, rhapsodizing about rhapsodies, taking requests on Fridays, or just reaching into his Classical Music Grab-Bag, he’s ready to take you on an art music adventure.  

Ovation brings you your daily dose of favorite classics… and the best lesser-known music you haven’t heard yet. Host Ken Zahnle has been hand-crafting themed classical music programs for Tri States Public Radio since 1987. Whether he’s featuring a composer for the morning, exploring the musical history of the day’s date, rhapsodizing about rhapsodies, taking requests on Fridays, or just reaching into his Classical Music Grab-Bag, he’s ready to take you on an art music adventure.

Ovation

Ovation brings you your daily dose of favorite classics… and the best lesser-known music you haven’t heard yet. Host Ken Zahnle has been hand-crafting themed classical music programs for Tri States Public Radio since 1987. Whether he’s featuring a composer for the morning, exploring the musical history of the day’s date, rhapsodizing about rhapsodies, taking requests on Fridays, or just reaching into his Classical Music Grab-Bag, he’s ready to take you on an art music adventure. Ovation air weekdays on Tri States Public Radio from 9am - Noon.  Our on-demand features a two week archive.

There will be be no shows from December 18 &19 and 23-26 due to the usage of special  holiday programming on those days.

Ovation brings you your daily dose of favorite classics&hellip; and the best lesser-known music you haven&rsquo;t heard yet. Host Ken Zahnle has been hand-crafting themed classical music programs for Tri States Public Radio since 1987. Whether he&rsquo;s featuring a composer for the morning, exploring the musical history of the day&rsquo;s date, rhapsodizing about rhapsodies, taking requests on Fridays, or just reaching into his Classical Music Grab-Bag, he&rsquo;s ready to take you on an art music adventure. Ovation air weekdays on Tri States Public Radio from 9am - Noon.&nbsp; Our on-demand features a two week archive.
There will be be no shows from December 18 &amp;19 and 23-26 due to the usage of special&nbsp; holiday programming on those days.

Classically Black - Revisited

James Lee III was born in 1975 in St. Joseph, Michigan, and began studying piano at what he considers a late age…12… when his father signed him up for lessons without his knowledge. He earned his Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, and includes among his composition teachers some prominent American composers: Michael Daugherty, William Bolcom, and Bright Sheng. He also studied composition as a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and as a Fulbright scholar researching music in Brazil.

James Lee III was born in 1975 in St. Joseph, Michigan, and began studying piano at what he considers a late age&hellip;12&hellip; when his father signed him up for lessons without his knowledge. He earned his Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Michigan, and includes among his composition teachers some prominent American composers: Michael Daugherty, William Bolcom, and Bright Sheng. He also studied composition as a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and as a Fulbright scholar researching music in Brazil.

Classically Black - James Lee III

It’s time to meet Performance Today's 2020 Classical Woman of the Year.

A child of the 1970’s, Valerie Coleman hails from the traditionally black West End neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.

Beginning her music studies at 11, she had written three symphonies and won local and state competitions by the time she was 14.

Coleman double-majored in flute performance and composition at Boston University and mastered at New York’s New School

It&rsquo;s time to meet Performance Today's 2020 Classical Woman of the Year.
A child of the 1970&rsquo;s, Valerie Coleman hails from the traditionally black West End neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky.
Beginning her music studies at 11, she had written three symphonies and won local and state competitions by the time she was 14.
Coleman double-majored in flute performance and composition at Boston University and mastered at New York&rsquo;s New School

Classically Black - Valerie Coleman

Wynton Marsalis is the most famed member of a New Orleans musical dynasty. Born in 1961 to prominent jazz pianist and teacher Ellis Marsalis, he was named for another jazz great, pianist Wynton Kelly, and he got his first trumpet at age 6 from another famed trumpeter, Al Hirt.

He studied classical music at school, and jazz at home. At 14 he performed the Haydn trumpet concerto with the New Orleans Philharmonic, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 two years later. The year after that he was admitted to the Tanglewood Music Center.

Wynton Marsalis is the most famed member of a New Orleans musical dynasty. Born in 1961 to prominent jazz pianist and teacher Ellis Marsalis, he&nbsp;was named for another jazz great,&nbsp;pianist Wynton Kelly, and he got his first trumpet at age 6 from another famed trumpeter, Al Hirt.
He studied classical music at school, and jazz at home. At 14 he performed&nbsp;the Haydn&nbsp;trumpet concerto&nbsp;with the&nbsp;New Orleans Philharmonic, and Bach&rsquo;s&nbsp;Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 two years later.&nbsp;The year after that he was admitted to&nbsp;the Tanglewood Music Center.

Classically Black - Wynton Marsalis

First, there was Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Then, there was Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson.

Coleridge Taylor Perkinson was fated to write music. He was born in 1932 and raised in Manhattan, the child of a mother active in the arts as a piano teacher, church organist, and director of a theater company… who named her son after the great African-British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

First, there was Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Then, there was Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson.
Coleridge Taylor Perkinson was&nbsp;fated to write music. He was born in 1932 and raised in Manhattan, the child of a mother active in the arts as a piano teacher, church organist, and director of a theater company&hellip; who named her son after the great African-British composer&nbsp;Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

Classically Black - Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson 

Born in Chicago in 1913 to an activist family, Margaret Bonds began her studies with the best of Bronzeville… composers Florence Beatrice Price and William Levi Dawson. She completed Bachelors and Masters degrees at Northwestern University in piano and composition, but didn’t wait until she was finished to start making a splash… winning the national Wanamaker Foundation Prize in composition and becoming the first black to solo with the Chicago Symphony… on one of those occasions premiering her teacher Florence Price’s Piano Concerto.

In Chicago she performed and taught, opening the Allied Arts Academy, and composed songs, one of which ("Peach Tree Street") was used in the film Gone with the Wind.

Born in Chicago in 1913 to an activist family, Margaret Bonds began her studies with the best of Bronzeville&hellip; composers Florence Beatrice Price and William Levi Dawson. She completed Bachelors and Masters degrees at Northwestern University in piano and composition, but didn&rsquo;t wait until she was finished to start making a splash&hellip; winning the national Wanamaker Foundation Prize in composition and becoming the first black to solo with the Chicago Symphony&hellip; on one of those occasions premiering her teacher Florence Price&rsquo;s Piano Concerto.
In Chicago she performed and taught, opening the Allied Arts Academy, and composed songs, one of which ("Peach Tree Street") was used in the film&nbsp;Gone with the Wind.

Classically Black - Margaret Allison Bonds

Fela Sowande was born outside Lagos, Nigeria in 1905, the son of an Anglican Priest. Growing up a choirboy, he was taken under the wing of Nigerian church music pioneer Dr. T.K Ekundayo Philips, learning Bach and other European composers on the organ, as well as new native Yoruba works being introduced into the church service. At the same time, he led a band playing early Highlife dance music… a form mixing elements from Ghana and Cuba, influenced by jazz.

Fela Sowande was born outside Lagos, Nigeria in 1905, the son of an Anglican Priest. Growing up a choirboy, he was taken under the wing of Nigerian church music pioneer Dr. T.K Ekundayo Philips, learning Bach and other European composers on the organ, as well as new native Yoruba works being introduced into the church service. At the same time, he led a band playing early Highlife dance music&hellip; a form mixing elements from Ghana and Cuba, influenced by jazz.

Classically Black - Olufela “Fela” Sowande

Edward Kennedy Ellington was born and raised in Washington D.C.’s West End neighborhood.                 Brought up in a proud family of amateur musicians, Ellington carried himself with a refined grace and sharp wardrobe that earned him a lifelong nickname: ‘Duke.”

The young “Duke” was influenced by ragtime and stride pianists, teaching himself harmony and embarking on a playing career at 17.

Edward Kennedy Ellington&nbsp;was born and raised in Washington D.C.&rsquo;s West End neighborhood. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Brought up in a proud family of amateur musicians, Ellington carried himself with a refined grace and sharp wardrobe that earned him a lifelong nickname: &lsquo;Duke.&rdquo;
The young &ldquo;Duke&rdquo; was influenced by ragtime and stride pianists, teaching himself harmony and embarking on a playing career at 17.

Classically Black - Edward Kennedy Ellington

William Levi Dawson ran away from home in 1912 to study music at the Tuskegee Institute. Working through school as a music librarian… and a laborer on the Agriculture Department farm… he was a member of the Institute’s band and orchestra, as well as composing and touring with the Tuskegee Singers. Finishing at Tuskegee, he moved north to the Chicago Musical College and the American Conservatory of Music, while playing first trombone for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago

William Levi Dawson ran away from home in 1912 to study music at the Tuskegee Institute. Working through school as a music librarian&hellip; and a laborer on the Agriculture Department farm&hellip; he was a member of the Institute&rsquo;s band and orchestra, as well as composing and touring with the Tuskegee Singers. Finishing at Tuskegee, he moved north to the Chicago Musical College and the American Conservatory of Music, while playing first trombone for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago

Classically Black - William Levi Dawson

James P. Johnson grew up in New York City listening to the rags of Scott Joplin and studying classical piano and theory with an Italian teacher. He soon was able to take ragtime piano to the next step, inventing a technically difficult style called “stride”… named for the large leaps required of the player’s left hand. At that point Johnson became the last great rag pianist, and the first great jazz pianist, with a long performing and recording career.

James P. Johnson grew up in New York City listening to the rags of Scott Joplin and studying classical piano and theory with an Italian teacher. He soon was able to take ragtime piano to the next step, inventing a technically difficult style called &ldquo;stride&rdquo;&hellip; named for the large leaps required of the player&rsquo;s left hand. At that point Johnson became the last great rag pianist, and the first great jazz pianist, with a long performing and recording career.

Classically Black - James Price Johnson

The Dean of African-American Composers.

William Grant Still was only three months old when his father died. His mother moved to Little Rock Arkansas, where he started playing violin as well as teaching himself oboe, clarinet, saxophone, viola, cello, and string bass. A high school valedictorian, he began medical studies at Wilberforce University, but the pull of music was too strong. Taking his modest inheritance, Still enrolled at Oberlin Conservatory, working his way through while being awarded composition lessons without charge.

The Dean of African-American Composers.
William Grant Still was only three months old when his father died. His mother moved to Little Rock Arkansas, where he started playing violin as well as teaching himself oboe, clarinet, saxophone, viola, cello, and string bass. A high school valedictorian, he began medical studies at Wilberforce University, but the pull of music was too strong. Taking his modest inheritance, Still enrolled at Oberlin Conservatory, working his way through while being awarded composition lessons without charge.

Classically Black - Revisited

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