Pianist and composer BLKBOK, (pronounced “Black Bach”) has played with some of the biggest pop names: Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Demi Lovato, and John Mayer. Born Charles Wilson III, he grew up in Detroit with a traditional classical foundation and pursued more musical interests including jazz, Motown, hip-hop and the blues. While he’s not conservatory-trained, he creates by channeling his thoughts and reflections, and running them through his fingers onto the piano, creating musical poems in the process.

Despite the absence of touring during the pandemic, it was a productive time for BLKBOK, who finalized the instrumental compositions that would become Black Book, a continuation of the legacy of (and inspired by) the movie Green Book, which told the story of trailblazing black classical pianist/composer Don Shirley. BLKBOK plays some of these works remotely for the Soundcheck Podcast.

Set list: “The Hustle Is Real”, “November 7, 2020”, “Amalia’s Ocean”

Watch: "The Hustle Is Real":

Watch: “November 7, 2020”:

Watch: “Amalia’s Ocean”: