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Hard History

Season 1 Episode 103 | 26m 46s

Pianist Derek Polischuk performs music from his album Terra Incognita, featuring composer Tom Osborne celebrating the beauty of Hawaii while sharing its traumatic path to statehood. Jazz bassist and composer Rodney Whitaker recalls the fear and violence a special police unit unleashed on Detroit’s Black communities in the 1970s and performs his original piece, “The Big Four,” with a quartet.

Aired: 05/21/22
Supported in part by
MSU Federal Credit Union
Michigan State University Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Extras
Advisor  Talitha Wimberly helps students find common ground through music.
Educator Richard Desinord breaks down boundaries to find educational equality for music.
Educator Marcie Ray sows the seeds of strong community through hard conversations.
Three performances of jazz and art song address oppression yet end the season with hope.
Music by trailblazing Black composers and a moving saxophone piece celebrate inclusion.
Composers play their moving electronic and jazz pieces inspired by love and humanity.
Three varied and impactful songs inspired by the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Two distinct voices share stories and performances using music to fight for justice.
Violin and jazz bass performances anchor stories of finding one’s own place in society.
Coming spring 2022 on WKAR TV in mid-Michigan