Shawn Okpebholo Soars to New Heights with Songs in Flight

Cedille Records is thrilled to celebrate the early success of Songs in Flight, the latest album by acclaimed composer Shawn Okpebholo. This powerful album, released February 14 and produced by Okpebholo himself, has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, showcasing Okpebholo’s evocative musical storytelling. Joined by pianist Paul Sánchez, the album features stunning performances by world-renowned artists, including superstar Rhiannon Giddens, soprano Karen Slack, countertenor Reginald Mobley, and baritone Will Liverman, whose voices bring the music’s themes of resilience and freedom to life. Rave reviews are already pouring in, including one from BBC Music Magazine, which proclaimed the album its Editors’ Choral & Song Choice, with a double 5-star rating.

We hope the attention Songs in Flight is generating will add even more fuel to Okpebholo’s meteoric rise in the classical world as he earns widespread recognition for his unique compositional voice that bridges history, culture, and contemporary expression. Shawn was named a Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music by the Chicago Tribune in December 2024. Later this year, he will receive a Goddard Lieberson Fellowship ― his second major award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters!

We hope this album will help generate more visibility, additional performances, and new commissions for Shawn Okpebholo and his work. We are grateful to those who helped make this album a reality including an Anonymous donor; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; the Aaron Copland Fund for Music; Wheaton College Aldeen and Global Research Grants; and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Fund for Vocal Recordings at Cedille Records, with additional support from Queta and Ron Bauer, Linda and Owen Youngman, Dave Miller, and Maria and Peter Lagios.