"The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many others have forced people from just about all walks of life to take another look at not only themselves, but the contemporary conversation of race. In this show I engage the contemporary and historical conversation of race with the 13th Amendment and classical music as the guide."
-Loki Karuna (formerly Garrett McQueen)
Host, The Sound of 13
Episode 1: “The Florida Suite”
Frederick Delius may be a composer whose name you know. Or maybe he’s a composer whose name you don’t know. Either way, what you should know is that this Englishman’s music has a connection to American slavery.
Frederick Delius may be a composer whose name you know. Or maybe he’s a composer whose name you don’t know. Either way, what you should know is that this Englishman’s music has a connection to American slavery.
Episode 2: “Negro Melodies”
When Antonin Dvorak came to America from Bohemia he fell in love with what he called Negro melodies. Those melodies would play a key role in the composition of some of his most famous music!
When Antonin Dvorak came to America from Bohemia he fell in love with what he called Negro melodies. Those melodies would play a key role in the composition of some of his most famous music!
Episode 3: “The Black Church”
If there’s any American institution that’s been a catalyst of freedom for Black people, it’s the Black church. It’s not only home to fiery sermons and thought-provoking ideas of Black freedom, but also Black music!
If there’s any American institution that’s been a catalyst of freedom for Black people, it’s the Black church. It’s not only home to fiery sermons and thought-provoking ideas of Black freedom, but also Black music!
Episode 4: “Africa”
Afro-American composer William Grant Still not only inspired Black audiences with his symphonies, but also with a number of tone poems, including one inspired by the Motherland.
Afro-American composer William Grant Still not only inspired Black audiences with his symphonies, but also with a number of tone poems, including one inspired by the Motherland.
Episode 5: The Diaspora”
When the 13th Amendment was ratified the work for true freedom for Afro-Americans was only just beginning. As far as a Black man from England was concerned, composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor, it was work that he felt that he had to be engaged in as well.
When the 13th Amendment was ratified the work for true freedom for Afro-Americans was only just beginning. As far as a Black man from England was concerned, composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor, it was work that he felt that he had to be engaged in as well.
Episode 6: “Black Codes”
Do you know what Black Codes were? They were special laws held over the heads of post-Civil War Black Americans in response to their so-called freedom: laws that were particularly harsh in the states of Mississippi and South Carolina.
Do you know what Black Codes were? They were special laws held over the heads of post-Civil War Black Americans in response to their so-called freedom: laws that were particularly harsh in the states of Mississippi and South Carolina.
Episode 7: “Father of the Spiritual”
Black people born during America’s Reconstruction Era faced more challenges than people today could ever imagine. Those challenges still weren’t enough to hold back Henry Thacker Burleigh.
Black people born during America’s Reconstruction Era faced more challenges than people today could ever imagine. Those challenges still weren’t enough to hold back Henry Thacker Burleigh.
Episode 8: “Sahdji”
You may be familiar with the Afro-American inspired symphonies of William Grant Still, but did you know that he also wrote ballet music?
You may be familiar with the Afro-American inspired symphonies of William Grant Still, but did you know that he also wrote ballet music?
Episode 9: “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed”
Their names were Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Kenneth Chamberlain, Amadou Diallo and John Crawford: seven victims of police brutality and seven men who have been immortalized in a piece of music by Joel Thompson.
Their names were Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Kenneth Chamberlain, Amadou Diallo and John Crawford: seven victims of police brutality and seven men who have been immortalized in a piece of music by Joel Thompson.
Episode 10: “Contemporary Black Performers”
The manifestations of the 13th amendment have impacted countless Black musicians, including the life and work of the late maestro Paul Freeman.
The manifestations of the 13th amendment have impacted countless Black musicians, including the life and work of the late maestro Paul Freeman.
Episode 11: “Feelin’ Good”
If there were ever a Black woman to leave audiences in awe, it’s Nina Simone. She also left audiences “feelin’ good”.
If there were ever a Black woman to leave audiences in awe, it’s Nina Simone. She also left audiences “feelin’ good”.
Episode 12: “The Sounds of 14 and 15”
The 15th amendment to the United States Constitution promised everyone’s right to vote, but 100 years after its ratification Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was still helping Black communities fight for that right.
The 15th amendment to the United States Constitution promised everyone’s right to vote, but 100 years after its ratification Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was still helping Black communities fight for that right.
Episode 13: “Blind Tom”
“Blind Tom” Wiggins was born autistic and blind on a Southern plantation back in the mid-19 century, but he still managed to become one of the country’s busiest pianists!
“Blind Tom” Wiggins was born autistic and blind on a Southern plantation back in the mid-19 century, but he still managed to become one of the country’s busiest pianists!