Margaret Bonds (1913–1972) was a prolific African American composer, pianist, and educator whose contributions to classical music broke racial barriers and continue to resonate in the contemporary classical landscape. Born in Chicago, she developed a passion for music at an early age, greatly influenced by her musician mother and the vibrant cultural scene of the city's South Side. Bonds attended Northwestern University, where she faced racial discrimination but nevertheless excelled, later becoming one of the first Black composers to gain recognition in the wider classical music community.

Bonds is perhaps best known for her close collaboration with the poet Langston Hughes. Her compositions often drew on the rich traditions of African American spirituals and jazz, infusing these genres with classical forms to create a distinctive and expressive style. Notable works include "The Montgomery Variations," inspired by the civil rights movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and her "Spiritual Suite for Piano," which showcases her gift for melding traditional African American music with classical idioms. Following her passing in 1972, Bonds' legacy has been celebrated through continued performances and recordings of her work, such as "Margaret Bonds: Credo; Simon Bore the Cross" and "The Ballad of the Brown King & Selected Songs," preserving her unique voice and vital contributions to American music.

Genres

African-american Classical

American Modern Classical

Latest Release

Montgomery Variations: I. Decision

Margaret Bonds•

Kellen Gray•

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Single - Released September 15, 2023