President Joe Biden signed a bill into law yesterday that made Juneteenth a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. WRTI is celebrating with music by Black composers and artists throughout the day on Saturday, June 19th.On Saturday Classical Coffeehouse from 6 AM to 12 noon, Melinda Whiting brings you music by Imani Winds performing Valerie Colman’s arrangement of “Steal Away,” Chanticleer singing “We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace” by Moses Hogan, music by Florence Price, William Grant Still, Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, and performances by Leon Bates, and Keith Spencer. On Overture with Mark Pinto from 12 noon to 1 PM, the celebration continues with works by Dorothy Rudd Moore, Scott Joplin, and more.
We have a special featuring Cantus from 5 to 6 PM. Fields of Wonder is a concert celebrating music composed by Black artists. The program features a live recorded concert by Cantus singing primarily the song cycle of Margaret Bonds.
Then Bobbi Booker has a special Jukebox Jazz show planned to commemorate Juneteenth. She’ll bring you songs that celebrate freedom and perseverance, like Joey DeFrancesco’s version of “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Charlie Ballantine’s treatment of “The Times They Are A Changin’ “ and Charles Lloyd’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” She will also spin some classic tunes like Ramsey Lewis’ “Wade in the Water,” and Junior Mance playing “Blowin’ In the Wind.”