Afrocentric Sounds Radio - Classical Music from the African Diaspora

03/27/2022

As the kids say, "MY BAD!!" I had forgotten that when the All-Christmas music ended, I needed to recreate the regular 2-hour programs I ran from 2-4 p.m. Central Time until I happened to tune in this morning expected to hear the Sacred Sounds program that usually ran 9-12 on Sunday mornings. I'm blaming "Manuscript Marathon Madness" on the miss.

The programming is returning with the following:

Sundays, 9 a.m. until noon – Sacred Sounds: Celebrates sacred music from masses to spirituals
Sundays, 2 p.m. – Spirituals Sounds: Negro spirituals for solo voice
Mondays, 2 p.m. – Chamber Sounds: Secular from solo instruments to chamber ensembles
Tuesdays, 2 p.m. – Secular Sounds: Art songs and other secular vocal music
Wednesdays, 2 p.m. – Piano Sounds: Piano music from yesterday and today
Thursdays, 2 p.m. – Orchestra Sounds: Orchestral music from yesterday and today
Fridays, 2 p.m. – Opera Sounds: Music from the world of opera
Saturdays, 2 p.m. – New Sounds: Recordings recently added to Afrocentric Sounds Radio

02/04/2022

As you observe , please support Afrocentric Sounds Radio (http://afrocentricsounds.com) by listening to this free online music station. Thanks!!

01/10/2022

In celebration of the release of the CD collection "Black Swans: At Mid-Century," the recording will be presented in two parts. Disc one will play on Thursday, January 13, and disc two on Friday, January 14, beginning at noon Central Time. A complete list of the works and performers is available at www.parnassusrecords.com/our-own-cds/various-artists-black-swans-at-mid-century-pacd-96078-9/

In 2019, Parnassus Records' "Black Swans" CD recalled to life an almost forgotten aspect of Black culture, the active participation of Black musicians in classical music 100 years ago. As a follow-up, "Black Swans at Mid-Century" presents a collection of 18 fine Black singers who specialized in oper...

12/09/2021

More Holidays Sounds on Afrocentric Sounds Radio!! Starting Friday, December 10, the Holiday Sounds programming expands to 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. Central Time. Listen to traditional and contemporary holiday music from the Baroque to spirituals to other familiar–and not so familiar seasonal music. Each week leading through Christmas Day, December 25th, additional hours of Xmas music will be added until we reach 24 hours of continuous Holiday Sounds! Access Afrocentric Sounds Radio at http://afrocentricsounds.com

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

12/02/2021

HAPPY 155TH BIRTHDAY, H. T. BURLEIGH!!

This evening from 6 to 7 p.m. Central Time, Afrocentric Sounds Radio will offer recordings of works by composer and baritone Harry T. Burleigh to commemorate his 155th birthday. To access the station, visit http://afrocentricsounds.com

12/02/2021

Starting Friday, December 3, Afrocentric Sounds Radio expands its Holiday Sounds program to 8 a.m. until 5 pm Central Time. Spend your work day listening to vocal and instrumental holiday music from “The Messiah” to spirituals to other familiar–and not so familiar music for the season. Each week leading through Christmas Day, December 25th, additional hours of Xmas music will be added until we reach 24 hours of continuous Holiday Sounds! Access Afrocentric Sounds Radio at http://afrocentricsounds.com

11/11/2021

Once again, Afrocentric Sounds Radio will offer Christmas holiday recordings by the African diaspora beginning noon until 5 pm Central Time on Friday, November 26th. Of course, there will be performances of "The Messiah" and spirituals and other familiar--and not so familiar songs for the season.

Then, each week leading through Christmas Day, December 25th, additional hours of Xmas music will be added until we reach 24 hours of continuous Holiday Sounds!

Access Afrocentric Sounds Radio at www.afrocentricsounds.com.

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

09/30/2021

To the Afrocentric Sounds listening audience,

Since the revival of Afrocentric Sounds Radio - Classical Music from the African Diaspora last year, the station's programming has attempted to maintain a 50-50 split of instrumental to vocal music. As a test, the number of vocal works has been increased in order to give you the opportunity to hear vocal works that have received limited play. So, more opera and art song, even excerpts from musicals. All from the African diaspora.

Please let Randye know your reaction to this change by email to [email protected].

Thanks, and here's hoping you continue to enjoy Afrocentric Sounds Radio! http://afrocentricsounds.com

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

09/25/2021

On Sunday, September 26th, at 6 p.m. Central Time, there will be a special program. The first featured recording will be "A Song Recital" of art songs by Schubert, Brahms, Wolf, Fauré, Hahn, and Chausson, performed by Mattiwilda Dobbs, soprano, and Gerald Moore, piano. The second is the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30, by Rachmaninoff, performed by André Watts, piano, and the New York Philharmonic, Sejii Ozawa, conductor.

The recordings will be repeated as part of the "New Sounds" program next Saturday starting at 2 p.m. Central Time.

09/13/2021

All day on Friday, September 17th, Afrocentric Sounds Radio will celebrate Randye's birthday with her favorite music from the station playlist. Additionally, extended recordings of performances by William Warfield (8 am Central Time), Roland Hayes (noon), Marian Anderson (4 pm) and Leontyne Price (8 pm) will be scheduled. Access Afrocentric Sounds for free at http://afrocentricsounds.com

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

04/25/2021

I'm listening to Afrocentric Sounds Radio and realized how much I am enjoying the programming. Yes, I acquired the recordings played on the station and set up the automated profile that selects the recording to play from the thousands of tracks now available. I even plan or impulsively schedule special programs featuring musicians from the African diaspora.

But what makes the station special is getting to hear the wonderful vocalists, instrumentalists, and composers who created those works that are such a joy to hear.

Afrocentric Sounds Radio - Classical Music from the African Diaspora is freely accessible on the web through http://afrocentricsounds.com or the Android or Apple apps.

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

04/15/2021

This Saturday on Afrocentric Sounds Radio's New Sounds programs, the featured recording is from Gerard Aymonche's "Ghost Composer." The program starts at 2 p.m. CDT and can be reached at http://afrocentricsounds.com.

02/27/2021

To commemorate the birthday of Ms. Marian Anderson today, Afrocentric Sounds Radio has scheduled play of the recording, "Marian Anderson: Rare and Unpublished Recordings: 1936-1952," at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Central Time. The recording includes Ms. Anderson singing works by A. Scarlatti, Handel, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss, Sibelius, Purcell, Thomas, Rachmaninoff, Massenet, Lawrence, Price, Boatner, Burleigh, Johnson, Lehmann, and Spross.
Afrocentric Sounds Radio's online station is free to access from http://afrocentricsounds.com.

02/17/2021

It's Black History Month, a month-long celebration dedicated to honoring and reflecting on the achievements of Black Americans, including their innovation and continued contributions within the music world. These Live365 stations are highlighting just some of these musical contributions.

02/03/2021

On this Wednesday’s Piano Sounds program on Afrocentric Sounds Radio, the works scheduled are composed and/or performed by Scott Joplin, André Watts, Robert Nathaniel Dett, Natalie Hinderas, Derek Han, Cole Burger, George Walker, Leon Bates, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Awadagin Pratt, Maria Corley, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Frances Walker. The Sounds Programs feature different musical styles or instruments every day from 2-4 p.m. Central Time. For information to access Afrocentric Sounds Radio’s free online station, visit http://afrocentricsounds.com

01/02/2021

This Sunday's New Sounds Program (from 2-3 p.m. CT) will open with the "Christmas Medley," featuring Tedrin Blair Lindsay, Kenneth Overton, Jondra Harmon, Alicia Marie Helm, Jeryl Cunningham-Fleming and Karen Slack, from American Spiritual Ensemble's "The Spirit of the Holidays" CD. Although the recording was not added in time to be included in 2020's Holiday Sounds program, I'm looking forward to its inclusion for Xmas 2021.

Also, new recordings include tracks featuring The Classical Jazz Quartet, Scott Joplin, and Paul Freeman.

12/31/2020

This Thursday on Afrocentric Sounds Radio, the 2-4 p.m. Central Time broadcast of Orchestral Sounds features works recorded under the batons of Dean Dixon ("An American in Paris"), James De Preist ("1812 Overture"), and Paul Freeman ("Life Cycles: What It Means When Spring Comes").

Afrocentric Sounds Radio can be accessed on the Web or with Apple or Android mobile app. Go to http://afrocentricsounds.com for more information.

12/28/2020

12/28/2020

Afrocentric Sounds Radio's listing on the host holiday blog entry at https://live365.com/blog/2020-holiday-music-radio-stations/?fbclid=IwAR3sM3eMDzrQO_R2RlxRlnoCyNQZraYmHa1ELGdI1LQLz0ArWPMUQHlYIV4

12/26/2020

First, thanks to everyone who supported Holiday Sounds programming this year! Listener participation was WONDERFUL!

Starting today (Saturday, December 26th), themed programming has moved to 2-4 p.m. Central Time each afternoon. The programs are:

Sundays, 9 a.m. until noon - Sacred Sounds: Celebrates sacred music from masses to spirituals
Sundays, 2 p.m. - New Sounds: Recordings recently added to Afrocentric Sounds Radio
Mondays, 2 p.m. - Spirituals Sounds: Negro spirituals for solo voice
Tuesdays, 2 p.m. - Secular Sounds: Art songs and other secular vocal music
Wednesdays, 2 p.m. - Piano Sounds: Piano music from yesterday and today
Thursdays, 2 p.m. - Orchestra Sounds: Orchestral music from yesterday and today
Fridays, 2 p.m. - Opera Sounds: Music from the world of opera and musical theater
Saturdays, 2 p.m. - Chamber Sounds: Secular from solo instruments to chamber ensembles

BTW, in honor of the birthday of composer Chevalier de Saint-Georges, there will be a 30-minute program of his compositions this Saturday starting at 7 p.m. Central Time.

As always, Afrocentric Sounds Radio can be accessed on the Web or with Apple or Android mobile app. Go to http://afrocentricsounds.com for more information.

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

12/18/2020

The week before Christmas has begun on Afrocentric Sounds Radio! Listen to Holiday Sounds all day though Christmas Day, including the Christmas section of Handel's "Messiah," and traditional and contemporary carols by composers and performers of the African diaspora. Access on the Web or get the app for your Android or Apple device by visiting http://afrocentricsounds.com

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

12/16/2020

Starting this Friday morning at midnight Central Time, hear Holiday Sounds all day though Christmas, Access on the Web or get the app for your Android or Apple device by visiting http://afrocentricsounds.com

12/08/2020

Afrocentric Sounds Radio continues its celebration of Holiday Sounds expanding this program from midnight until 5 p.m. beginning Friday, December 11th. And just in time for the added hours, The String Queens' new Christmas recording, "Our Favorite Things," is on the program! Access online and via mobile device app from http://afrocentricsounds.com

12/03/2020

The response to the first week of Holiday Sounds has been wonderful! Thanks for your support of Afrocentric Sounds Radio!

Starting tomorrow (Friday), Holiday Sounds begins at 6 a.m. Central Time and even more new Christmas music composed and/or performed by the African diaspora has been added to the program for your enjoyment. I'm also anticipating arrival of a Christmas CD by the Boys Choir of Harlem by early next week.

The upcoming Holiday Sounds scheduling:
Dec. 4 - 10: 6 am to 5 pm CT
Dec. 11 - 17: 12 am to 5 pm
Dec. 18 - 25: All day

Access Afrocentric Sounds Radio at www.afrocentricsounds.com

12/02/2020

In honor of the 154th anniversary of H. T. Burleigh's birthday, Afrocentric Sounds Radio will offer an all-Burleigh song-fest--spirituals and other vocal music--this evening from 7-8 p.m. Central Time.
Recordings by: Harry T. Burleigh, Darryl Taylor, Dame Nellie Melba, Oscar Seagle, Karen Parks, Charles Holland, Edward Boatner, Thomas Hampson, Eugene Holmes, Robert McFerrin, Dian Foy, Marian Anderson, the American Spiritual Ensemble, and Regina McConnell.
To access, visit http://afrocentricsounds.com. Happy birthday, Mr. Burleigh!!

11/23/2020

Just ordered Ellington's adaptation of "The Nutcracker Suite" for the Holiday Sounds program starting on Friday, November 27, from noon until 5 pm. The program scheduling is:

Nov. 27 - Dec. 3: 12 to 5 pm CST
Dec. 4 - 10: 6 am to 5 pm
Dec. 11 - 17: 12 am to 5 pm
Dec. 18 - 25: All day

Access Afrocentric Sounds Radio at www.afrocentricsounds.com

11/23/2020

With Christmas fast approaching, Afrocentric Sounds Radio will offer holiday recordings by the African diaspora beginning noon until 5 pm Central Time on Friday, November 27th. Of course, there will be performances of "The Messiah" and spirituals and other familiar--and not so familiar songs for the season. Access Afrocentric Sounds Radio at www.afrocentricsounds.com.

Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the playlist/radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora.

09/29/2020

The Friday, October 2nd, Opera Sounds program will feature one of the two discs from the recently released "Leontyne Price at the Met." Listeners will decide which disc will be featured. If you want to help decide which disc plays, please vote below by Thursday, October 1:

09/14/2020

You're invited to my birthday celebration on Afrocentric Sounds Radio this Thursday, September 17th. It starts at 10 a.m. CDT with my favorite recordings on Afrocentric Sounds and leads into newly added recordings played during the Orchestra Sounds program at 5 p.m., closing with a newly added recording of Orff's "Carmina Burana" at approximately 6 p.m. Web and mobile access is available at http://www.afrocentricsounds.com.
See y'all then!!

09/14/2020

Just uploaded Andre Watts' recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and it's already playing on Afrocentric Sounds Radio! Don't worry, though, it will be the featured recording for Wednesday's Piano Sounds program from 5-7 p.m. CDT. Visit http://www.afrocentricsounds.com