Poster Person in black dress with city street in the background
Jessie Montgomery's 'Starburst' is featured on this episode of 'Extra Eclectic.'
Photo: Jiyang Chen
Extra Eclectic

Black classical musicians shine    

Extra Eclectic - Feb. 16, 2026

The latest episode of Extra Eclectic presents the first of two programs for Black History Month, with a wealth of fantastic modern classical music from Black composers and performers. Clarinetist Anthony McGill takes center stage in James Lee III’s Clarinet Quintet and Rhiannon Giddens’ radiant voice anchors Shawn E. Okpebholo’s An Echo, and Ending, and we also enjoy performances from harpist Ashley Jackson, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and pianist Lara Downes in music by Brandee Younger, Brandon Spencer, Jessie Montgomery and more. Listen now with host Steve Seel!

Playlist

Unrest
Brandee Younger
Ashley Jackson, harp
London/Decca 7583640

Starburst
Jessie Montgomery
String Orchestra
Azica 71302

Blues Symphony: Born in Hope
Wynton Marsalis
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
PentaTone 7232

I Know My Soul
Brandon Spencer
Lawrence Brownlee, tenor
Warner 57842

Quintet
James Lee III
Pacifica Quartet
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Cedille 216

Like Moons and Like Suns
Carlos Simon
Lara Downes, piano
Rising Sun 74227

Changes
Andre Myers
Andrew Sewell, conductor
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Eternal Present: Now
Shelley Washington
~nois
Bright Shiny Things 197

Amazing Grace
H. Leslie Adams
Will Liverman, baritone
Cedille 200

Warmth from Other Suns
Carlos Simon
Ivalas Quartet
Rising Sun 5

An Echo, an Ending
Shawn E. Okpebholo
Rhiannon Giddens, banjo
Cedille 234

Horizons
Tania Leon
Karina Canellakis, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
LPO 135

Lalin
Nathalie Joachim
Tasha Warren, clarinet
Bright Shiny Things 163

Pour Toi, Mere
Sydney Guillaume
Jo-Michael Scheibe, conductor
University of Miami Chorale
Albany 707

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