The African American Museum, Dallas (AAM) will present The Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra of Houston in Concert on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Bruton Theater (1309 Canton St. in Dallas). The orchestra’s ninth Dallas appearance will honor one of the most notable saxophonists of all time – GRAMMY Award winner Bradford C. Leali – and feature performances by student winners of the Museum’s Youth Classical Artist Competition. Proceeds from the event will benefit the African American Museum’s programs dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talented young musicians.
Under the direction of Dr. Anne Lundy, the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra will celebrate the musical legacy of Scott Joplin, paying homage to his groundbreaking contributions, along with the works of GRAMMY Award-winning artists Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones. The Orchestra will perform selections – all composed by Black artists – ranging from Joplin’s iconic Ragtime pieces to spiritual songs and modern compositions.
The evening will also spotlight Bradford C. Leali, a University of North Texas graduate whose illustrious career includes tours with legends like Harry Connick Jr. and the Count Basie Orchestra, a memorable performance at President Obama’s inauguration, and appearances on NBC’s Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Arsenio Hall Show. Currently a UNT jazz saxophone professor, Leali continues to perform, record new music and tour with Lyle Lovett.
Three student winners of the Youth Classical Artist Competition will perform and receive scholarships from The Bradley-Johnson Foundation. The students are Seth Brown on saxophone, Christian Ramos on clarinet and Tinashe McGowan on piano with John Tatum serving as the collaborative pianist.
Dr. Anne Lundy, founder of the Scott Joplin Orchestra, is the director and conductor and was the first African American woman to conduct the Houston Symphony. Event co-chairs are Frederick Johnson and Dr. Vivian Bradley Johnson.
“Scott Joplin, often called the ‘King of Ragtime,’ is a true icon in American history. His groundbreaking work in Ragtime didn’t just shape the future of jazz. He worked to share the unique sound of classical music and American rhythms,” said Dr. Johnson. “As an African American musician during the era of segregation, he opened doors for countless talented artists to be recognized and celebrated on a much bigger stage.”
One of the nation's oldest contemporary majority African American community orchestras, the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra (SJCO) was formed in 1983 under the umbrella of the nonprofit Community Music Center of Houston (CMCH). Founder and Music Director Anne Lundy says its three purposes are to give African American instrumentalists opportunities to perform together; to explore and perform music written by Black composers; and to be an example to the Black community that orchestras can include people that look like them. Since its inception, the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra has performed mainstream works such as Handel's Messiah as well as significant, lesser-known music by Black composers.
The event provides a wonderful opportunity for young musicians to learn what is required to become composers, artists or conductors. Dr. Lundy will meet with students after the concert for a question-and-answer session.
Major sponsors of the Scott Joplin Chamber Orchestra are Arete Health; City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture; Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Dallas Independent School District; Dallas Mavericks; Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District; Texas Metro News; The Bradley-Johnson Foundation; and The North Texas Cluster Chapters of The Links, Incorporated (Dallas Texas Chapter, Fort Worth Chapter, Mid-Cities Chapter, Plano North Metroplex Chapter, Trinity Chapter, Greater Denton County Chapter and Southern Metroplex Chapter).
Tickets are $15 and $25 at the TBAAL Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. A limited number of $75 VIP tickets are available at the Museum.
For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call 214-565-9026, ext. 311. For the latest updates, follow the Museum on Instagram and Facebook.
About the African American Museum, Dallas. The African America Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 50 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art and decorative art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.