Denyce Graves grew up listening to the gospel music of Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland but became one of the most celebrated voices in classical music. She also has become one of its most versatile: singing in not only the great operas of our time but dabbling in jazz and world music as well as executive producing a compact disc of gospel and inspirational songs. This four-part series, part of the larger Black Classical Masters series, features excerpts of my interview with Ms. Graves as well as music that she has recorded. The Black Classical Masters series is based on the premise that black history should not be relegated to one month out of the year. Using the contributions of black artists to classical music as a starting point, Black Classical Masters explores black culture and history through interviews with artists and experts in music, history or culture. More than 80 episodes of the Black Classical Masters series has aired on WLRH-FM in Huntsville, Alabama since the series began in 2001.

Denyce Graves grew up listening to the gospel music of Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland but became one of the most celebrated voices in classical music. She also has become one of its most versatile: singing in not only the great operas of our time but dabbling in jazz and world music as well as executive producing a compact disc of gospel and inspirational songs. This four-part series, part of the larger Black Classical Masters series, features excerpts of my interview with Ms. Graves as well as music that she has recorded. The Black Classical Masters series is based on the premise that black history should not be relegated to one month out of the year. Using the contributions of black artists to classical music as a starting point, Black Classical Masters explores black culture and history through interviews with artists and experts in music, history or culture. More than 80 episodes of the Black Classical Masters series has aired on WLRH-FM in Huntsville, Alabama since the series began in 2001.