According to the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra’s website, “To Awaken the Sleeper: Works of Joel Thompson, conducted by Kansas City Symphony Music Director Laureate Michael Stern, was released July 24 in the United States… {It} will be eligible for the Grammy Awards in respective years.”
I’ve been sent the following photo from the inside of the CD booklet. This is the only individual musician featured in the inside of this booklet:
The lone musician standing in the percussion is Josh Jones, the orchestra’s first and only tenure-track Black principal. That was a photo of him taken before he was denied tenure on January 10, 2023. This CD was released in July, 2026.
The words super-imposed on this photo of Josh Jones are James Baldwin’s. They inspired the music composed by Joel Thompson on the recording.
Why did KCSO choose this photo of this particular individual musician for inside the booklet?
Why did KCSO choose to feature the first and only Black principal a whole 3.5 years after he was denied tenure, amidst lots of press including allegations of racial discrimination?
I’ve recently learned the term “diversity shield.” I have to wonder if this recording, featuring the works of a Black composer and using the image of Josh Jones as the only individual musician inside, might fall into that category.
I am told, but cannot independently confirm, that the KCSO’s 2026-27 season features zero works by Black composers. Similarly, I do not believe the orchestra has hired any Black musicians or any Black principals since Josh Jones was denied tenure.
I believe the KCSO owes the public an explanation for its inclusion of Josh Jones’ individual photo in the recording booklet.
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