“This sound that vibrates around the world has changed lives and minds. It’s a force that seems to have always been there, and in a way it has, for ultimately it is about humanity. It’s about the recognition to exist, to be acknowledged, to be heard, to communicate, to penetrate and go beyond borders, to touch souls, to feel alive, to lull pain as well as to celebrate. And, in the end, it’s about love.”

— Steve McQueen, Director

“It’s an absolute honor to be the chief music advisor for Soundtrack of America because in order to get where you want to go, you’ve got to know where you come from—and that’s exactly what this series serves to do. I’ve not only witnessed history, but I’ve had the honor of living it. The past influences our present more than we give it credit for, and all American music we have today is an evolution of bebop, doo-wop, hip hop, and laptop! Our collective inspiration is from those who came before us, and there’s no better way to pay respect to them than to educate and keep their legacy alive through the arts. It’s a pivotal time for the history books, so we choose light and hope to spread some of it during this production! We have some incredibly talented artists lined up for you, and although there is still much to be done, we hope you walk away with a greater sense of appreciation for the roads that our ancestors paved for us.”

— Quincy Jones, Chief Music Advisor

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as the chief academic advisor to a commission that celebrates the vibrancy of African American music. Our goal with this project is to take the audience on a series of musical journeys that convey the variety and richness of the music that African Americans have created since arriving in the United States in the 17th century and are continuing to create in the new millennium. These concerts will present a soundtrack of loving, dancing, partying, worshipping, struggling, protesting, feeling, believing, and dreaming that lets us hear the connections and influences across different styles and genres of music, that lets us hear changes and ruptures, and that lets us hear the past, present, and future of this vast and important art form that has been the soundtrack of America.”

— Maureen Mahon, Chief Academic Advisor

“I am deeply honored and grateful to add this extraordinary event as music director to my ever expanding list of career highlights. Everyone on our team is acutely aware of and humbled by the tremendous responsibility we’ve been given to present a living history of Black music from the richly rooted melodies and rhythms of Africa to this very moment and beyond. It is my sincere hope that you enjoy this journey and allow the music represented to be an inspiration well into the future.”

— Greg Phillinganes, Chief Music Director