Horacio Salgán
Horacio Adolfo Salgán was an Afro-Argentine tango composer, conductor, and pianist who was instrumental in expanding the boundaries of his music form. At 100 years of age, he died in Buenos Aires, where he was born.
Eva Ayllón
Composer and singer Eva Ayllón, who brought Afro-Peruvian Creole music into the mainstream, is considered one of the foremost musicians in Peru.
Benny Moré
Musician Benny Moré transitioned from working in the cane fields of central Cuba to composing and performing some of the most beloved Afro-Cuban music of any artist.
Nora Douglas Holt
Nora Douglas Holt was a scholar of music who composed more than 200 original pieces. She became the first black person to earn a Master of Music degree in the U.S.
Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins
Thomas Wiggins was a black composer and pianist who promoters billed as “Blind Tom.” While he could only speak a few words, he was likely an autistic savant given his extraordinary abilities and musical skills.
Ginger Smock
Ginger Smock was a prominent bandleader, composer, and symphony musician known for her signature horn-like jazz violin renditions.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Sheku Kanneh-Mason is a young British cellist who was the first black person to win BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2016. He also became the first cellist to chart in the UK in the Top 10.
Jessye Norman
One of the most celebrated singers to grace operatic, concert, and recital stages, Jessye Norman was an acclaimed Soprano who weathered the storms of racism to rise to the top of the classical music world.
Marian Anderson
A detailed look at the life of acclaimed singer Marian Anderson, who tore down racial barriers with her unparalleled operatic and concert voice.