Black people are NOT a monolith. Our culture is not one dimensional. From the textures and styles of our hair, all the way to the range in genres of music we pioneered— you simply can’t put us into one box. While we aren’t always credited for our contributions to music and the arts, we’ve definitely learned how to shift the narrative and turn lemons into lemonade.
Welcome to Atlanta’s Orchestra Noir.
Married couple Keisha and Jason Ikeem Rodgers founded the all Black orchestral ensemble in 2016.
“We were attending the ‘Emerging 100’ holiday event in Atlanta, and were in awe of seeing hundreds of affluent, educated Black people in one room,” Keisha Rodgers, co-founder of Orchestra Noir told The Block. “My husband was inspired to in-turn bring Black classical music to the city, too.”
Jason Ikeem is classically trained in piano as well as conducting. He has toured the world, visiting countries like Paris, London and Romania. But, it was something about that holiday event that led him to bring the classical world to Atlanta, in a way that was accessible and relatable to the community.
“Literally that night he came up with the name “Orchestra Noir.” A little more than five months later, on May 14 to be exact, we held our first concert.”
Although nervous, the couple easily sold out of the 100 tickets available for the inaugural event. The next show brought 300 attendees, and the one after that, 500.
“Exactly one year after our first concert, we sold out Atlanta’s Center Stage, which holds 800 people,” Keisha said.
Now, just five years in, Orchestra Noir is leading the way when it comes to exposing the world to a Black orchestral sound. The company has collaborated with some of the hottest musicians out including 2Chainz, Cardi B, and they even shot a documentary with Bryan Michael Cox.
“We appeared on the ‘Tonight Show’ with 2Chainz, and my husband wrote the strings for that performance. We try to bring a mix of styles in our performances. Jason Ikeem has several musical influences and it’s reflected in his arrangements. Our shows range from classical to hip hop, jazz, and more. We’re showing the range of Black orchestral musicians.”
Orchestra Noir currently has 40 musicians playing everything from strings, brass, and percussion. They audition on a rolling basis and are always open to adding to the group.
“Last year we came to Charlotte to put on our ’90’s Vibe’ concert,” Keisha said. “It was so fun. We had plans to come back and do a battle with the Charlotte Symphony called ‘Beethoven vs. the 90s.’ Of course, COVID-19 happened so it was postponed. We are hoping to see it happen later this year.”
Community outreach
Hosting concerts and touring are only part of what this trailblazing ensemble does. For the last two years, they teamed up with Clayton County Schools to put on a benefit concert supporting the system’s scholarship program. They also hosted a ‘young people’s concert’ that gave local children the opportunity to attend a classical concert for free.
“For our regular concerts we have a red carpet, so for the kiddie show we did the same. It was so cute to see the kids dress up in their tuxedos and fancy dresses. My husband taught them about the different instruments in the orchestra, and they had a great time.”
The couple doesn’t take it lightly that what they are doing, has the potential to not only impact children but adults who may feel like classical music wasn’t a “Black people thing.”
“We are very cognizant of the weight and responsibility of being the representation of Black orchestral musicians,” Keisha explained. “That is why we include OUR music within our shows. We are showing people that “Black music” is just as good as any other genre. We also don’t take it lightly that our shows are exposing people who once saw orchestras and operas as intimidating, to something that is accessible and that they will want to continue to come back to. They are able to get a glimpse of this world through people who look like them.”
While many of this year’s concerts have been postponed, Keisha and Jason Ikeem hope to put on a few shows later in the year— if it is safe.
To learn more about this amazing group, you can visit the website: orchestranoir.com. You can also follow them on Instagram at: @orchestranoir.
