James Bennett II is a staff writer for WQXR.
James is a noted pineapple enthusiast and native of the original (read: Chesapeake) Bay Area. At the impressionable age of 17, he moved to New York in search of concrete pastures and scooped up a BA in history from Columbia University. Classical music had always been an interest, but it really switched on after he heard Yo-Yo Ma rip “Fear” from Astor Piazzolla’s Four Tango Sensations. It popped up on shuffle, and he listened to it no fewer than 40 times in a row. He’s also game to talk about jazz, hip-hop, and wave (chill, synth, vapor, or otherwise). James is also fond of funky ales, fall foliage, all things nautical, and harsh winters. Some would say he has a passing interest in the post-romantic situational comedy Friends.
James Bennett II appears in the following:
The Word is Bonds
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
On listening to Margaret Bonds and the impact of classical song.
Notable Firsts For Women In the Classical World (Part 1)
Sunday, March 01, 2026
This Women's History Month, we reflect on how far the classical world has come, and how far it has to go.
Handel and Hendrix: Genius Roommates Who Lived Centuries Apart
Monday, February 23, 2026
In 1968 Jimi Hendrix became a neighbor of sorts to another musical legend — George Friedrich Handel.
Watch Leontyne Price on 'What's My Line?' from 1966
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The long-running game show saw many celebrities during its 17 season run. In 1966, Leontyne Price appeared as a mystery guest before the panel of guessers.
15 Powerful Uses of Classical Music in Olympic Figure Skating History
Friday, February 06, 2026
With the Winter Games underway, and figure skating inevitably at the center of the action, we’re celebrating our favorite uses of classical music in skating performances.
Happy Birthday Franz Liszt! 5 Absurd Moments From the Eccentric Pianist's Life
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Liszt was a performer and showman just as much as he was an ace composer. We mark his birthday with five moments that really brought out his inner diva.
Black Classical: Composers and Conductors Who Shaped Music History
Tuesday, February 01, 2022
Here are just a few of the many composers and conductors that you should remember, for Black History Month and beyond.
Conductor Centennial: Julius Rudel
Saturday, March 06, 2021
March 6, 2021, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of conductor Julius Rudel. We’ll be highlighting several works from his conducting discography on air to mark the occasion.
Judas and the Black Messiah: Worldbuilding in Sound
Monday, March 01, 2021
WQXR's James Bennett II walks listeners through the score and soundtrack of Judas and the Black Messiah.
Judas and the Black Messiah: Worldbuilding in Sound
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Punctuating the Action; or, A Soundtrack Doing what Soundtracks Do Best
The Romantic Artistry of George Walker
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Exploring the artistry of composer-pianist George Walker.
Searching with Robert Nathaniel Dett
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
A look at Robert Nathaniel Dett's lifelong search for sound.
We Need to Be Listening to Reber's Fourth Symphony Way More Often
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Reber's Fourth Symphony is a vivacious and epic work. Why haven't we heard it live?
Where are the Orchestra's Guitars?
Wednesday, January 06, 2021
Guitars are popular. They're everywhere, and if you don't know how to play, Dan Smith will teach you. So why aren't they in the orchestra?
Countdown 2020: The Takeaways
Friday, January 01, 2021
Thoughts and analysis from a countdown for a wild year.
Hold On — Why Is 'Hansel and Gretel' a Christmas Piece?
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Ever wondered why certain classical pieces seem so characteristically "holiday" and "New York?"
Even With Quiet Concert Halls, Beethoven Talk Still Dominated 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
We didn’t listen to a ton of Beethoven like we thought we would this year. But we did talk about him. A lot.
Big Fan: 5 Beethoven Dedicatees
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Here's a list of five pieces Beethoven wrote for others and the stories behind them.
