Black History Month

Langston Hughes, an enduring icon of the Harlem Renaissance, is best-known for his written work, which wedded his fierce dedication to social justice with his belief in the transformative power of the word. But he was a music lover, too, and some of the works he was most proud of were collaborations with composers and musicians.

Pianist, composer and WRTI alum Kendrah Butler-Waters and pianist and composer Tonya Dorsey are presenting a Black History Month concert at St. Martin De Porres Church on February 16th.  On Wednesday, February 6th they joined host J. Michael Harrison, along with some of their collective, in the WRTI Performance Studio.

The African-American patriot Richard Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1794, and led the congregation of Bethel AME in Philadelphia in a former blacksmith shop on 6th Street near Lombard. A Craft Works ensemble visits WRTI's Performance Studio on Feb. 8 at 12:10 PM to sing music from Bishop Allen's hymnal. WRTI's Susan Lewis is host.

Join WRTI 90.1 as we recognize Black History Month by celebrating jazz artists and songs that were synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement. During regular jazz hours, we'll bring you this music and discuss its political connections.

Black History Month would not be complete without acknowledging R. Nathaniel Dett, one of the most successful black composers. An authoritative new recording of his complete piano works by Clipper Erickson shines a welcome light on a major portion of Dett’s output.