William Grant Still (1895 – 1978) was raised in Arkansas by his mother and step-father who fostered his interest in music. He went on to study composition at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music , beginning his career arranging bands for musicians such as Artie Shaw while creating his first compositions.

Often referred to as “the Dean of Afro-American composers," Still’s career broke down barriers for African-American musicians – he was the first African-American composer to have a symphony performed by a major orchestra, and he became the first African-American to conduct a prominent orchestra when he led the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1936.