Afrocentric Voices Radio

14/07/2020

As I had hoped when Afrocentric Voices Radio was closed down in 2016, the online station has re-launched, now with Afrocentric Sounds to form a new station!

The new Afrocentric Sounds has a pretty eclectic program of music, reflecting the influence of other music styles–Spirituals, Ragtime, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and other popular and folk music–on the creation and interpretation of classical music. The station also reflects the presence of Afrocentricity in Europe and the Americas. This is a place where performance of Beethoven or Bach resides comfortably with compositions by Joplin, Ellington, Bonds, etc. To access the station, please click on this link at https://live365.com/station/Afrocentric-Sounds-a96259:

Classical music from the African diaspora.

01/02/2016

Alas, after nearly eight years, Afrocentric Voices Radio is no more. However, I am very seriously contemplating restarting Afrocentric Sounds (www.afrocentricsounds.com), this time a new focus on Classical music of the African diaspora with a higher percentage of vocal music that would have been on Afrocentric Voices Radio. If I do, I will certainly spread the word.

Leave a reply Greetings!! This is the Web site for Afrocentric Sounds, the second Internet radio station featuring classical music written and/or performed by the African diaspora. Afrocentric Sounds has a pretty eclectic program of music, reflecting the influence of other music styles–Spirituals, R…

16/01/2016

When I began the Afrocentric Voices in "Classical" Music website in February 1998, my primary purpose was to focus on African American performers and composers and on the vocal music forms they influenced, especially opera, art songs and Negro spirituals composed for concert performance. Part of my research of this music has involved acquiring recordings--including rare, out-of-print 78s and LPs--by these musicians. For quite some time, I'd wanted to find a way to share some of these recordings with those who share an interest in this music.

So, I was honored to announce the creation of Afrocentric Voices Radio, the webcasting station launched on December 5, 2008.

Listeners could access the Internet radio service by clicking on the direct link at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre?site=live365. Over these seven years, a lot of wonderful music, all too often not available on "mainstream" stations, has played on Afrocentric Voices Radio, as well as her sister station, Afrocentric Sounds.

Unfortunately, I just got official word from the stations' host that they are closing, effective January 31. This means the end of Afrocentric Voices Radio--at least for now. The station is fully supported out of my very shallow pockets, and I can't afford the additional royalty and service charges other services charge.

I am hopeful, however, that I will find another home for Afrocentric Voices Radio. In the meantime, the station will continue to operate until they shut it down.

I want to thank everyone who listened to--and hopefully enjoyed--the great singers and composers whose work was heard on Afrocentric Voices Radio.

Randye Jones
Owner and Manager
Afrocentric Voice Radio

29/12/2015

Afrocentric Voices Radio has finished its annual Christmas programming for 2015. Thanks to everyone who listened and commented on the wonderful music that played during the holidays.

As the station returns to normal programming, including the special programming each day from 1-2 p.m. Central Time, new selections will work their way into the playlist for your enjoyment. Please join continue to listen in and share your comments and suggestions to make Afrocentric Voices Radio even better.

http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

13/09/2015

Starting to look for new recordings of African Americans classical singers performing Christmas music for the Afrocentric Voices Radio annual holiday playlist. Please message me if you have suggestions for recordings. Thanks!!
http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

05/04/2015

The Afrocentric Voices Radio playlist has several new recordings reflecting my continued research of Negro spirituals. The surprise is Mattiwilda Dobbs singing spirituals, including her performance of "City Called Heaven." The real gem, though, is Ms. Dobbs' recording of Mozart's "Exsultate Jubilate," with the treat coming within the Andante movement. On Easter Sunday, the recording will open the 2:00 p.m. Central Time programming. Tune into Afrocentric Voices Radio at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

02/03/2015

As I bring Afrocentric Voices Radio back to its normal playlist after the very enjoyable "Honoring Anderson" tribute, I'm taking the opportunity to add nearly two dozen recordings to the rotation. Some are completely new to Afrocentric Voices, and the rest haven't played on the station in more than a year. If you haven't listened to the station, this would be a perfect time. You can access it at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre.

I want to encourage those with recordings they'd like me to consider for addition to the station to please donate a copy. Recordings should be of commercial quality in a digital format and of performance of Classical vocal music composed or performed by African Americans. CDs can be sent to me at: Randye Jones, PO Box 281, Grinnell, IA 50112. Mp3 files can be sent to me via email at [email protected]. Please support Afrocentric Voices Radio by listening and sharing the word with others.

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

24/02/2015

The Afrocentric Voices Radio tribute, "Honoring Anderson," commemorating contralto Marian Anderson on the 118th anniversary of her birthday, is scheduled to play at 3:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. CST on Friday, February 27th. Program will begin with her 1939 performance at the Lincoln Memorial, include the Brahms "Alto Rhapsody," Schubert's "Ave Maria," the spiritual "City Called Heaven," excerpt from Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," "Pleurez, mes yeux!," from Massenet's "Le Cid," Rachmaninov's "When Night Descends," and closes with Act 1, Scene 2 from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera," featuring the cast of her historic 1955 The Metropolitan Opera performance.

Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera Live Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Dimiti Mitropoulos (Conductor), The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), The Metropolitan Opera Chorus (Performer), Zinka Milanov (Performer), Roberta Peters (Performer), Marian Anderson (Performer), Jan Peerce (Performer), Robert Merr…

20/02/2015

Friday’s 1:00-2:00 pm CST program on Afrocentric Voices Radio is, “Big Hand for the Ladies,” from coloratura to contralto, African American vocalists sing opera, art song and oratorio. Join us at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

20/02/2015

With the approach of the 118th anniversary of Marian Anderson's birth on Feb. 27th, Afrocentric Voices Radio will dedicate programming to music performed by Ms. Anderson. Several works have already been mixed into the station's main playlist, and on the 27th, multiple broadcasts of "Honoring Anderson" --featuring her 1939 Lincoln Memorial performance and 1955 Metropolitan Opera appearance--will be scheduled throughout the day. The times will be announced soon.

Marian Anderson sings at Easter Services, April 9, 1939. Photo by Thomas D. McAvoy

19/02/2015

Thursday’s 1:00-2:00 pm CST program on Afrocentric Voices Radio is, “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” from countertenor to bass, African American vocalists sing opera, art song and oratorio. Join us at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

18/02/2015

Wednesday's 1:00-2:00 pm CST program is, "Present Company Accepted," vocalists from the later half of the 20th Century to today. Join us at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

10/02/2015

In honor of Leontyne Price's 88th birthday, tune into Afrocentric Voices Radio at 6 am, 11 am, 2 pm or 7 pm. CST to hear Ms. Price singing "Libera me" from Verdi's "Requiem, and excerpts from these operas: "Porgy and Bess" with William Warfield, "Madama Butterfly" with Richard Tucker and Rosalind Elias, "Otello" with Placido Domingo, "Cosi fan tutte" with George Shirley, "Un Ballo in Maschera" with Reri Grist and Robert Merrill, "Aida" with Grace Bumbry, and the close of Act 2 from "Tosca" with Sherrill Milnes and Placido Domingo. Find Afrocentric Voices Radio at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre.

Leontyne Price, "Cosi Fan Tutte" CD cover

17/01/2014

Each day from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Central Time, Afrocentric Voices Radio will present selections focusing on a specific theme:

Sunday - The Art of the Negro Spiritual
The beauty of this American folk song performed in concert format

Monday - Festival of Song
Secular art songs by African American vocalists and composers

Tuesday - Oh, Pioneers
Vocalists who helped establish an African American presence in the world of classical music

Wednesday - Present Company Accepted
Vocalists from the later half of the 20th Century to today

Thursday - Gentlemen’s Agreement
From countertenor to bass, African American vocalists sing opera, art song and oratorio

Friday - Big Hand for the Ladies
From coloratura to contralto, African American vocalists sing opera, art song and oratorio

Saturday - It Ain’t Art Song!
Excerpts from opera, oratorio, requiems, and theater performed by African American classical vocalists

Sunday mornings are filled with Sacred Sounds from 8:00 until 11:00 a.m. Central Time. African American vocalists lift up historical and contemporary Classical music from the Christian tradition.

Access Afrocentric Voices Radio at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

14/01/2014

http://www.pinterest.com/singin1/afrocentric-voices-in-classical-music/

Images of African American singers of opera and art song. Includes publicity shots, performances, etc., played on the Afrocentric Voices Radio station at http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

14/01/2014

The playlist on Afrocentric Voices Radio has been updated to include several new selections, including a 2013 recording of art songs by Clara Schumann performed by Indra Thomas and Nicole Cabell.

As always, your support of Afrocentric Voices Radio is much appreciated.

http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

12/12/2013

Added several recordings to the Christmas programming on Afrocentric Voices Radio, including selections from "Messiah" featuring Simon Estes, Harolyn Blackwell performing with the Canadian Brass, and spirituals performed by Paul Robeson.
http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

05/12/2013

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of Afrocentric Voices Radio. Described as a station offering "a range of Classical music often missed by traditional Classical music stations," its programming has included rare and contemporary recordings I've found as part of my research of vocal music composed and performed by African American musicians. Thanks to all of you who have supported and continue to support Afrocentric Voices Radio--and her sister station, Afrocentric Sounds - Online Classical Music Radio Station--with your donated recordings, financial support, and just by listening to the works broadcast there.

http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Rare and popular Christmas music--from Handel's Messiah to contemporary songs--performed by African American classical vocalists

03/12/2013

Rare and popular Christmas music--from Handel's Messiah to contemporary songs--performed by African American classical vocalists

30/11/2013

Afrocentric Voices Radio will play an all-Christmas music format throughout December. There's some wonderful music there, including lots of Handel's "Messiah," tracks from the rare Roland Hayes Christmas LP, and recordings by Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman, Denyce Graves, Derek Lee Ragin, Carmen Balthrop, and more. Please take a listen and contact the station at [email protected] about any other similar holiday recordings available.

http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Rare and popular Christmas music--from Handel's Messiah to contemporary songs--performed by African American classical vocalists

26/11/2012

Online Classical Music - Live365 Internet Radio - Afrocentric Voices Radio

Afrocentric Voices Radio has begun its all-Christmas programming. Performances by African American singers, including Adele Addison, Barbara Hendricks, Denyce Graves, Derek Lee Ragin, Dorothy Maynor, Florence Quivar, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson, Willis Patterson, Roland Hayes, Seth McCoy, Thomas Young, and William Warfield. I also want to thank Carmen Balthrop for donating her Christmas CD to the cause.

BTW, if you have a Christmas CD suited to the station's programming you want to submit, please message me privately.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!

http://www.live365.com/stations/vulcanlyre

Historic and contemporary African American singers and composers of Classical vocal music

01/12/2010

In celebration of the Holidays, Afrocentric Voices Radio features Christmas songs and carols, including excerpts from Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Bach's Christmas cantatas