In June 2021, Dr. Chibundu Onuzo exemplified the range of her talents when she released a music video entitled “Good Soil” to accompany the publication of her third novel, Sankofa. Dr. Onuzo is an author, singer, pianist, playwright, screenwriter, regular contributor to The Guardian, and … Read MoreChibundu Onuzo (1991- )
Composer, master pianist Ignacio Jacinto Villa Fernández, known by the stage name Bola de Nieve, was born Ignacio Jacinto Villa Fernández on September 11, 1911, in Guanabacoa, Cuba, to Domingo Villa, a chef, and Inés Fernández, a professional rumba dancer. The couple had 12 children. … Read MoreIgnacio Jacinto Villa Fernández (1911-1971)
Patrice Louise Rushen is an R&B singer and jazz pianist. She was born on September 30, 1954 in Los Angeles, California to Allen and Ruth Rushen. Rushen is a musical prodigy who began playing piano at the age of three. In 1958 her parents enrolled … Read MorePatrice Rushen (1954- )
The Gap Band was an R&B and Funk band founded in 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and comprised the multi-instrumentalists Wilson brothers Charlie: Lead vocals, piano, synthesizer, organ, drums; Ronnie: vocal, trumpet, piano, percussion, songwriter; and Robert (1956-2010): vocal, bass, guitar, and percussion. They emerged as … Read MoreThe Gap Band (1974-2010)
Composer, arranger, pianist, lyricist J.J. Jackson was born Jerome Louis Jackson on November 8, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York. However, most of his life was spent living in the Bronx. While there is little information on his formative years, he was an ingenious celebrated belter … Read MoreJ.J. Jackson (1942- )
Classical pianist, mezzo-soprano, pedagogic Carmen Velma Shepperd was born on October 30, 1910, in Mona Heights, Kingston, Jamaica, to David N. Shepperd and Theresa Ann Rodriquez Shepperd, a music school administrator and seamstress, respectively. However, she was reared in New York City where she attended … Read MoreCarmen Velma Shepperd (1910-1997)
Renowned composer and pianist John Daniel Carter was born on April 19, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri but was reared in Tallahassee, Florida. He was the only child of John Hannibal Carter, a pianist, and his first music teacher, and Lilly Carter. John Carter quickly … Read MoreJohn Daniel Carter (1932-1981)
The Clark Sisters, an African American gospel ensemble comprising five daughters, was established in 1966 is the highest selling female gospel group in United States history. The singers are Jackie, born in 1948 in Selma, Alabama, from the first marriage of Leo H. Cullum, Sr. … Read MoreThe Clark Sisters (1966- )
The Ohio Players who first called themselves the Ohio Untouchables, was a pioneering vocal and instrumental funk ensemble out of Dayton, Ohio. Established in 1959, the group comprised its organizer, pianist/principal vocalist Walter Morrison, trumpeters Bruce Napier and Marvin Pierce, vocalist/bass player Marshall Jones, saxophonist/guitarist … Read MoreThe Ohio Players (1959-1980)
Pianist, singer, lyricist Garland Green, Jr. was born on June 14, 1942, in Dunleith, Mississippi, to Garland Green, Sr. and Mary Green. He was the tenth child of eleven siblings. In 1958, 16-year-old Green moved to Chicago, Illinois and shortly after his arrival he entered … Read MoreGarland Green (1942- )
