American Masters

How Roberta Flack created soul with "getting-togetherness"

Songwriter Les McCann described seeing Roberta Flack perform with all of that "getting-togetherness," referencing the soulful and central quality of Black music. "The concept of soul was really this attempt to recreate what was particular about being Black in America. This experience of struggle and resilience and pride," said author and cultural critic Emily Lordi.

How Roberta Flack created soul with "getting-togetherness"

2m 43s

  • Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [ASL + OC]

    13m 31s

    This version contains on-screen ASL interpretation and open captions. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

  • Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [Extended Audio Description + OC]: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future [Extended Audio Description + OC]

    16m 54s

    This version contains extended audio description and open captions. An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

  • Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Thomas Wiggins: Composing the Future

    13m 31s

    An African American composer and pianist known as one of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Thomas Wiggins (1849-1908) was blind from birth and likely autistic. Although born into slavery, Wiggins was the first African American to perform at the White House, and toured throughout the U.S., South America, and Europe.

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