Meet Grammy-Winning Composer Jessie Montgomery!

About this episode

Jessie Montgomery discusses her works and influences with John Banther.

Jessie Montgomery and John Banther discuss her popular works, her time writing for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Blacknificent 7 composer group, and her early artistic influences.

People in this episode

Host: John Banther

Guest: Jessie Montgomery

Topics covered

• composition
• orchestral music
• artistic influences
• Grammy winners

Keywords

• Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Blacknificent 7

More episodes of Classical Breakdown

• Tosca! Puccini's tragic opera on love, lust, and brutality · June 9, 2026 · 1h 15m
• The Montgomery Variations: A Piece of American History by Margaret Bonds · May 26, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Haydn's Trumpet Concerto: Revolutionary in ways you didn't know! · May 12, 2026 · 51 min
• Leos Janacek: an original composer who found success late · April 28, 2026 · 53 min
• Bonus! John and James discuss Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and gigs · April 21, 2026 · 28 min
• Also Sprach Zarathustra: Where Music and Philosophy Reach New Heights · April 14, 2026 · 53 min