James Bennett II

Fun fact: Heitor Villa-Lobos is NOT the only Brazilian composer!

The 1980s brought us greedy CDs and the 1990s brought us sex appeal. Now we'll see how the 2000s opened the genre to anyone with an iPhone and a basement. 

Music for an agitated state.

As a concept, classical crossover isn't new. The 1980s brought us greedy CDs. Now we'll take a look at how pop executives of the 1990s drove classical music into a sexy abyss. 

Here's to the amazing pieces that have been wiped from history.

As a concept, classical crossover isn't new. But the 1980s and its technological innovation, insatiable corporate hunger, and glitzy commercials set the stage for something different.

In which we address that decades-old question.

(Daniel Bernard Roumain and Marc Bamuthi Joseph, 2017)

(Joel Thompson, 2016)

Influential and powerful brands and companies have expressed support of mass demonstrations against anti-black violence. But how far do words go?

Boomin' in your Jeep.

Run John Field his checks.

“Play with the blood!!!”

James Bennett II on the soundtrack to Chernobyl by Hildur Guðnadóttir. Just think of it as a very good hot sauce.

Let's take, a long walk.

Last week, COVID-19 claimed saxophonist Lee Konitz as one of its victims. WQXR's James Bennett, II has this reflection and a listening recommendation.