Coastal Carolina University's Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts will host notable musicians Brandon Patrick George and Aaron Diehl as they present “Songs of Black America” on Friday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Wheelwright Auditorium. The performance commemorates the accomplishments and talents of Black musicians while exploring African American musical culture.

George and Diehl will perform songs by Black American composers, inspired by a combination of spirituals and spoken word poetry. Featured pieces were written by William Grant Still, Valerie Coleman, and Yusef Lateef.

“It’s rare to have two prominent musicians work together on such a powerful work and have them perform for the campus and local community,” said Easton Selby, associate dean of the Edwards College. “This is the kind of intimate performance that you would see in a 2,000-seat venue.”

George, a leading flute soloist and Grammy-nominated chamber musician, has been noted as “elegant” by The New York Times, “virtuoso” by The Washington Post, and “a knockout musician” by The Philadelphia Inquirer. He is the flutist for Imani Winds. George studied at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the Conservatoire de Paris, and the Manhattan School of Music.

Diehl, a pianist and composer, focuses on the compilation and combination of different types of sounds and styles. He holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies from The Julliard School and has performed with the New York Philharmonic and Philharmonie de Paris.

Tickets are available online, via phone at 843-349-ARTS (2787), or in person at the Wheelwright Auditorium box office. For a full list of CCU cultural arts events, visit coastal.edu/culturalarts.