“An angel isn’t only a legendary being; it is somebody delivering a message, which is a big facet of my artistry,” Angel Bat Dawid shares in our latest interview. As a flexible artist, she facilities her work on addressing and uplifting Black communities whereas additionally fostering understanding amongst broader audiences. “My present focus in my artwork is to precise concepts particularly for Black folks, however everyone seems to be welcome to take part,” she states.
Dawid is a Black American composer, improviser, clarinetist, pianist, vocalist, educator, and DJ. She showcases her expertise with teams like Angel Bat Dawid & THA BROTHAHOOD and Damon Locks’ Black Monument Ensemble, and she or he leads the all-women ensemble Sistazz of the Nitty Gritty. Past her performances, she dedicates time to instructing youngsters from infancy to their teenage years, mentoring younger adults, and internet hosting a month-to-month music present on NTS Radio.
Her ardour shines as she shares particulars of her latest endeavors. Throughout a February tour, she taught and carried out in France, Italy, and Spain. Simply final month, she was honored as a 2025 United States Artists Fellow, a recognition she describes as “life-changing.” This award grants $50,000 in unrestricted funding to American artists throughout ten disciplines who problem typical boundaries.
Dawid embraces her inventive follow as a continuation of the lineage of Nice Black Music, a legacy based by the AACM. This philosophy permits her to discover a mess of musical varieties. “I check with it as Nice Black Music, which signifies that as a Black particular person, no matter music emerges from me is inherently nice. This music transcends genres; I can compose for a 100-piece orchestra or information a crowd of non-musicians to sound like an oratorio refrain, as a result of I perceive spontaneous composition and improvisation,” she explains.
Her journey into music started at an early age, sparked by a household journey to the theater to see Amadeus. “There’s a scene the place younger Mozart performs the piano, and I assumed, ‘Wow, I wish to play piano sooner or later!’ Then he switches to the violin, and I used to be amazed, pondering I needed to play a number of devices,” she recollects.
On the age of seven, Dawid and her household relocated to Kenya, the place music training was scarce. Nevertheless, upon their return to the U.S. 4 years later, she lastly started her piano classes. In sixth grade, keen to affix the college orchestra, she discovered that she wouldn’t have the ability to play the violin resulting from lack of house in that part. As an alternative, she was handed a clarinet by Mr. Jarrett, the band director. “I used to be upset as a result of I actually needed to ‘shred,’” she displays.
Angel Bat Dawid — Picture by Joachim Bertand
Rising up in a time earlier than YouTube, she sought clarinet music within the library however usually discovered nothing that resonated along with her tastes. “The one music I might discover featured a corny, white dude like Benny Goodman, and right here I used to be at 12, simply making an attempt to be cool,” she recollects. But Mozart’s compositions reignited her ardour. “Once I found Mozart’s clarinet concerto, I used to be captivated by the thought of the clarinet ‘shredding.’ It fascinated me a lot that I listened to it as I went to mattress and upon waking up,” she mentions.
In her classical research of piano and clarinet, she regularly discovered herself as the one musician of coloration. The isolation and lack of assist weighed closely on her. “As I continued, the sight of others who seemed like me diminished. I used to be usually the one Black woman within the symphonic band, and they might persistently place me in decrease chairs. Whether or not it was a acutely aware choice, unconscious bias, or just oversight, it impacted how I felt as a musician,” she expresses. “In my early twenties, determining my path was fairly difficult. I majored in clarinet efficiency however felt unsupported in a predominantly white establishment; it was an inner battle.”
The stereotypes she confronted took a toll on her over time. She acknowledges the resilience required to succeed in her present place. “When folks meet me, they usually ask, ‘Oh, do you sing?’ which displays a mix of sexism and racism. Sure, I can sing, however throughout my latest tour, whereas enjoying the clarinet or keyboard, somebody nonetheless approached me asking to the touch my hair. These experiences weigh closely on musicians,” she feedback.
Residing in Chicago, Dawid finds the atmosphere inspiring for creativity, collaboration, and experimentation. “Elsewhere, I’ll have been stifled. Chicago fosters collaboration; you may encounter your idols performing and instantly have a significant dialog with them, the place they could even invite you to share the stage,” she shares.
She perceives Chicago’s inventive neighborhood as distinctive, with a powerful community of assist for musicians of coloration. “Regardless of points within the music business, like racism and misogyny, you want a supportive workforce. In Chicago, you may have that interconnected neighborhood; we uplift each other. Collaboratively creating is essentially the most empowering approach ahead,” she affirms.
Dawid acknowledges the persistent presence of structural racism and is unapologetic about addressing it. Her dedication to fostering secure, inclusive environments for Black musicians is unwavering. “I’ll collaborate with anybody, no matter race. We are able to come collectively by means of music, celebrating our shared humanity. Nevertheless, my present focus is creating areas for Black artists to thrive freed from systemic challenges. Should you play my music, you’ll undoubtedly be supported,” she emphasizes.
Angel Bat Dawid — Picture by Pascal Gambarte
Dawid is presently creating a brand new residency designed particularly for Black ladies at The Black Room in Chicago’s West Garfield Park. The areas that Black ladies create collectively are important for his or her collective security and assist. “Some shared experiences are ineffable; we merely really feel them. Whether or not it’s misogyny or being labeled aggressive for standing up, these are challenges inherent to being a Black girl,” she explains.
Her integrity and dedication to her values have been instrumental in her success over the previous decade. Whereas acknowledging that others might not have the identical privilege, Dawid believes that sustaining honesty is crucial to her inventive authenticity. “I don’t thoughts being the outspoken one; some might have extra to lose, however I’ll handle the uncomfortable truths. To date, this has labored for me, as I persistently voice points, whether or not in my music or artwork,” she states.
Dawid is optimistic about artwork’s potential to unite in an more and more divided world. “Artists have the ability to attach communities. I actually imagine we might sooner or later exist in a world free from racism. That perception propels my work. It’s essential to reveal to those who we are able to construct relationships based mostly on religion and understanding. We owe it to future generations to mannequin what it means to be humane,” she concludes.
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