Music history

Stories that changed music.

Every great musician was once a beginner. Meet the people behind the music our students play.

Classical · Germany · Baroque

Johann Sebastian Bach

A working church musician whose daily discipline produced some of the most studied music in history.

Jazz · United States · 20th century

Composed for the specific musicians in his band — proof that great leaders write for their team.

Regional · Cuba · 20th century

Carried Cuban music to the world and became the voice of salsa across the Americas.

Jazz · United States · 20th century

Learned the cornet in a youth home in New Orleans and changed how the world thinks about the soloist.

Regional · Brazil · 20th century

Blended samba with jazz harmony and gave the world bossa nova.

Classical · Hungary · 20th century

Walked village to village recording folk songs, then built modern music from them.

Jazz · United States · 20th century

A classically trained pianist who used her voice for civil rights.

Regional · Argentina · 20th century

Reinvented the tango by bringing classical and jazz ideas into it.

Regional · Nigeria · 20th century

Created Afrobeat from highlife, jazz and funk — music with a message.

Classical · Austria · Classical

Began performing as a child and wrote across every form of his time.

Classical · Romania · 20th century

Violinist, composer and teacher who shaped a generation of performers.

Jazz · United States · 20th century

Practised relentlessly and pushed the saxophone into new spiritual territory.