Podcast Episodes

Meet Klesie Kelly

Season 7 Episode 443

As a pendant to, and continuation of, my Black History Month 2026 series on Countermelody, I am pleased and honored to present to you the exquisite A…

6 months, 1 week ago

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Henry Wright Revisited

Season 7 Episode 442

Last week I published an episode about Black Pop Singers who emigrated to Europe in the 1950s and 1960s. Most of these gentlemen settled in the Germa…

6 months, 2 weeks ago

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A Cavalcade of Spirituals

Season 7 Episode 441

As the last official entry in Countermelody’s Black History Month 2026 series, I bring you a potpourri episode that has long been a dream of mine: on…

6 months, 3 weeks ago

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Episode 440. Black Baritone Expats

As the penultimate episode in my 2026 Black History Month series, I revisit the stories of African American performers who, for a variety of reasons,…

6 months, 3 weeks ago

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Grace Bumbry, Proud Soprano [Studio Edition]

Season 7 Episode 439

As we hurtle toward the third anniversary (in May already!) of Grace Bumbry’s death, I have had her very much on my mind. It’s true that I consider h…

6 months, 4 weeks ago

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Episode 438. Leontyne Price Sings Richard Strauss Heroines

Last week the opera world joined in unanimous celebration as Leontyne Price celebrated her 99th birthday. Though I’m a trifle late to the party, I do…

7 months ago

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Episode 437. Get to Know Faye Robinson

Today’s Black History Month episode serves also as a belated birthday tribute to the exceptional African American soprano Faye Robinson, who was born…

7 months ago

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Episode 436. Adelaide Hall, Sophisticated Lady

Adelaide Hall (1901 – 1993), entertainer extraordinaire, really had it all: voice, talent, beauty, dancing chops, charisma, joie de vivre and sophist…

7 months, 1 week ago

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Episode 435. Tina and the Expats

I first published this episode two and a half years ago in June 2023, in commemoration of the death of the great Tina Turner. As always when I take o…

7 months, 1 week ago

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Episode 434. Inez Matthews Sings Schubert (and More!)

To kick off Black History Month 2026 (which, contrary to the current US administration, is still a thing, and not just on Countermelody, either!), I …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

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