Founding members of the African American Composer Initiative (AACI)—LaDoris Cordell, Jodi Gandolfi, and Deanne Tucker—are joined by guest composers Regina Harris Baiocchi, Jeremiah Evans, Joshua McGhee, and others, along with special guest Janis-Rozena Peri to recount the story of this San Francisco Bay Area ensemble of classical and jazz musicians dedicated to the performance, recording, commissioning, and publishing of music by African American composers.

Their journey began in 2009 with the presentation of music by William Grant Still; since then they have performed the music of over forty African American women and men. Programming encompasses many genres—art songs, spiritual settings, instrumental solo and chamber music, opera, jazz, and popular music, reflecting the rich heritage of African American music—historic and contemporary, much of it long overlooked. AACI concerts have become a celebrated event in the musical life of the diverse community of East Palo Alto, California, USA.

The story presented for ASMAC was richly laced with recordings representing all genres.

Moderated by Jeannie Gayle Pool.

28 February 2026