About this episode

Joe Williams discusses the concepts of artistry, legacy, and belonging in concert music.

What does it mean to become a "Sound Liberator"? In this episode of The Piano Pod, pianist, composer, educator, filmmaker, scholar, and advocate Joe Williams joins host Yukimi Song for a wide-ranging conversation on artistry, legacy, belonging, improvisation, education, and the evolving landscape of concert music. Currently pursuing a PhD in composition at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Williams has built a multifaceted career championing composers of African descent while developing his own distinctive creative voice. From premiering new works and producing documentary films to contributing scholarship on Florence Price and composing music rooted in liberation, spirituality, and human connection, Williams exemplifies what it means to be a 21st-century artist. Throughout the episode, listeners will hear musical excerpts featuring works by Florence Price, Maria Thompson Corley, Richard Thompson, Brian Raphael Nabors, and Joe Williams himself. 🎹 Featured Music & Performances Brian Raphael Nabors – Piano Sonata No. 2 Brian Raphael Nabors – Sonata for Cello and Piano (Sterling Elliott, cello; Joseph Williams, piano) Florence Price – Fantasie Nègre in E Minor James Lee III…

People in this episode

Host: Yukimi Song

Guest: Joe Williams

Topics covered

• Black artistry
• legacy
• belonging
• concert music
• improvisation
• education

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Piano Sonata No. 2, Sonata for Cello and Piano, Fantasie Nègre in E Minor, Album for the Young at Heart, Lucid Dreaming

More episodes of The Piano Pod - a global hub for innovation, education, and connection in classical piano music

• Official Trailer: "Sound Liberation" feat. Joe Williams, Sound Liberator · June 2, 2026 · 2 min

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