Classical Musicians of African Descent

WXXI Classical 91.5 is in the process of building a resource of photos and brief biographical information about musicians of African descent. This resource is by no means complete, and we rely on you to help us build the site by sharing your information. Please click on the alphabetical groupings below to begin your discovery.

Tunde Jegede, composer/cello/piano (b. 1972)

Classical 91.5 WXXO-FM

Published February 1, 2022 at 1:17 PM EST

England-born Nigerian composer and multi-instrumentalist, Jegede has worked across several genres both as a performer (cello, kora, piano and percussion) and producer. Jegede studied with Alfia Bekova, Elma de Bruyne, Joan Dickson and Raphael Wallfisch at the Purcell School and later the Guildhall School of Music.

In 1991, he pioneered African classical music in the UK with the first ever national tour of the African Classical Music Ensemble. As composer for the Eastern Orchestral Board, Jegede work's have be performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia, Britten Sinfonia, Viva Sinfonia, the London Mozart Players and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.