Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson was born in 1932 and was named after Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Raised in New York City by his mother, Perkinson was a piano prodigy. During his time at Manhattan School of Music, he met composer Igor Stravinsky and developed an interest in jazz and popular music. He also studied conducting in Europe and, back in America, he became one of the founders of the first racially integrated orchestra in the United States — New York’s Symphony of the New World — in 1965. He also composed music for orchestras, television, stage and film, in addition to being active in the jazz and soul scene. Throughout his career, Perkinson advocated for the Black community, especially its performing artists.
Credits
Host: Vernon Neal
Producer: Dan Nass
Writer: Scott Blankenship
Executive Producer: Julie Amacher
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About Rhapsody in Black
Where we turn up the voices of Black artists in the world of classical music, with host Vernon Neal.
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