TRILLOQUY

Johnathan Gibbs returns to TRILLOQUY to offer updates as the newest member of the New York-based Dessoff Choirs. Loki and Johnathan return to the discussion of Handel and Negro Spirituals in honor of Black History Month, highlight the intersectional culture of Asian- and Afro-Americans, and address the challenge of burnout while working to shift classical music's status quo.  **Hear Loki and Johna...

Loki Karuna shines a light on some of the Black history of Winston-Salem, NC, chats with Brian Cole, Chancellor of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and reacts to his recent trip to Detroit for the annual Sphinx conference. Armenta (Hummings) Dumisani Minister Louis Farrakhan performs Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto Brian Cole Duo for Violin and Cello (Jessie Montgomery) Sphinx Co...

Loki Karuna shares a few words following his live "New Blue Sun" experience, chats with Joe LaRocca about the benefits (and challenges) of being a multi-instrumentalist, and expounds on a controversial statement by the late Langston Hughes. "New Blue Sun" by André 3000 Joe LaRocca "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain"   ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki Karuna offers a brief reaction to the film "American Fiction" as it relates to arts funding, chats with James Daly about "The Powerful Piano", and previews his upcoming reaction to Spike Lee's "Bamboozled".  Frederic Chopin - Ab Major Etude 'Aeolian Harp' (perf. James Daly) James Daly/San Ramon Academy of Music The Powerful Piano ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki Karuna affirms his evolving feelings on George Gershwin, chats with Lara Downes about her latest project, "Rhapsody in Blue: Reimagined", and shares his 2024 resolution to strive toward absolute freedom. Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki highlights words by the late Kwame Ture, chats with Parisian violinist and arts activist Marina Chiche, and responds to the historic appointment of Kwame Ryan as Music Director of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. "La Création du Monde" by Darius Milhaud Elaine Brown and Kwame Ture Interview (1993) Marina Chiche La Marseillaise par la violoniste Marina Chiche Charlotte Symphony Makes History,...

Loki offers support and a call to action in light of recent news from choral director Alysia Lee, chats with Dr. Marques L. A. Garrett about the tradition and future of Black choral music, and spills some Bernstein tea.  Dear TMEA Music Education is in Hot Water (X Thread) Message from Alysia Lee Dr. Marques L. A. Garrett "Say Her Name" by Alysia Lee "Sit Down, Servant" arr. Dr. Marques L. A. Garr...

Loki pays his respects to the late Daisaku Ikeda, chats with Johnathan Gibbs about recent "classical" experiences as they relate to race and culture, and shares his continued journey of self-care as it related to the Thanksgiving holiday.  Daisaku Ikeda, Who Led Influential Japanese Buddhist Group, Dies at 95 X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X: Act I, Scene 2, Pool Hall, "Shoot your shot!" Mendels...

Loki celebrates the fifth anniversary of the Classical Black Podcast, chats with Nick and Zach from the ensemble, Invoke, about their latest genre-bending album, and brings a famous TV moment featuring James Baldwin into the general dialogue of diversifying orchestras in the United States.  To Podcast or Not to Podcast? Reflections from the Hosts of “Classically Black” Invoke "Dustbowl" from  Evol...

Loki takes a look at the perspective income of a conductor who's encouraging his orchestra to perform "conductorless", chats with Maestro Kellen Gray about his latest recording of orchestral music by Black composers, and highlights the concept of Human Revolution as it applies to his life and activism, in general.  Music Director Urges Musicians To Go Conductorless Minnesota Orchestra Financial In...

Loki celebrates his discovery of the Turtle Island Quartet, chats with Rachel Barton Pine and Earl Maneein about their latest metal-inspired violin concerto recording, and shares the dissonance he's feeling regarding the Metropolitan Opera's presentation of "X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X".  Turtle Island Quartet Earl Maneein Rachel Barton Pine "Dependent Arising" "Dependent Arising": I. Grasp...

Loki shares news about the Metropolitan Opera's decision to platform a public reading of the Autobiography of Malcolm X, interviews pianist Althea Waites, and connects some of Malcolm X's words to a current DEI initiative being executed across the American orchestral landscape.  Marathon Reading of The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley Althea Waites, pianist "Flamenco" by Margaret B...

Loki shines a light on his recent discovery of "A Soulful Celebration" on Handel's "Messiah", chats with renegade neo-classical pianist, BLKBOK, and talks money as it relates to inflation and concert attendance.  "For Unto Us a Child is Born" from Soulful Celebration BLKBOK "What is Truth" by BLKBOK ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki offers updates on the drama at WCPE-FM and the Cleveland Institute of Music, shares his dialogue with June Carryl, the writer behind a new opera dedicated to the life of Oluwatoyin Salau, and speaks to the violence in the Middle East. North Carolina Radio Station Won’t Ban Met Opera Broadcasts After All Carlos Kalmar Put on Leave of Absence by Cleveland Institute of Music June Carryl "Say Her...

Loki responds to WCPE-FM's decision to forego "controversial" opera broadcasts, chats with Maria Manuela Goyanes, Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre, and encourages activists and change makers to push through the tiring work of shifting societal status quo.  North Carolina radio station declines to broadcast 6 Met opera performances over objections to content X, The Life and Times of Malc...

Loki highlights the struggle between the students of the Cleveland Institute of Music and Maestro Carlos Kalmar, chats with pianist Jorge Federico Osorio about his new album, "Conciertos Románticos", and speaks to how the critique of interracial dating has come into his life by way of classical musicians.  Inside the Crisis at CIM "Conciertos Románticos" "For the Boys" ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki shops for Metropolitan Opera tickets, chats with flutist Brandon Patrick George about his new album, "Twofold", and addresses recent police violence against a band director in Alabama. Buy "Twofold" by Brandon Patrick George "Afro Blue" at the Rainbow Room feat. Imani Winds Alabama band director tased by police for not stopping his students' performance ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki responds to the Philadelphia Orchestra musicians' rejection of a new contract, speaks with President and CEO of Wolf Trap, Arvind Manocha, and shares Bodhisattva wisdom from his weekend at a Black Buddhist retreat in Florida. Philadelphia Orchestra Musicians’ Contract Negotiations Stall: https://theviolinchannel.com/philadelphia-orchestra-musicians-contract-negotiations-stall/ Illharmonic Orc...

Guest co-host Johnathan Gibbs joins Loki to welcome him to NYC, to unpack media featuring Black conservatives, and to tease upcoming duo content. Loki features his recent conversation with composer Oswald Huỳnh, whose composition titled "Gia Đình" is quickly grabbing the attention of orchestras across the country. "Black Conservatives vs. White Liberals", by Jubilee Media: https://www.youtube.com/...

Loki comments on John Eliot Gardiner's backstage fist fight, chats with Barron Ryan about his book, "Honey, If It Wasn't for You", and responds to recent conversations among members of the Arts Administrators of Color Network. More on Barron Ryan and his latest book: https://prbythebook.com/experts/barron-ryan/ ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki Karuna weighs in on articles that describe classically trained musicians as "clones", chats with Chris Jenkins about his new book, "Assimilation v. Integration in Music Education", and shares his 2024 Presidential pick.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki Karuna shares his thoughts on the recent legal situation between Ana Netrebko and The Metropolitan Opera, chats with Michael Redmond about the music of his late father, and encourages unity, once again, between Black and Jewish communities in light of a Jamie Foxx social media post.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Educators in Florida are expected to teach students that slavery was beneficial to many Black people; Loki responds and connects this issue to the arts. Loki chats with Luke McEndarfer, Artistic Director and CEO of the National Children's Chorus, and shares his ideas on the challenge of recording agreements to living composers.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki highlights a potential challenge for equity-centered arts organizations in light of a recent decision by the Supreme Court, dialogues with Laura Colgate of the Boulanger Initiative, and offers a "peak behind the curtain" in the struggle between orchestras and new music.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Loki Karuna responds to Joshua Jones' claims of racism from the Kansas City Symphony (as published in The Spotlight KC), interviews Darren Isom from The Bridgespan Group, and offers his latest example of "enjoying your headache".  ★ Support this podcast ★