On Saturday, August 23rd, history met culture in the heart of downtown Mobile, Alabama as Orchestra Noir graced the stage of the historic Saenger Theater. If you’ve never heard of them, let me paint the picture. Orchestra Noir isn’t your traditional orchestra. They are the heartbeat of Black excellence in classical music, blending the beauty of strings, brass, and percussion with the soul of hip-hop, R&B, and the timeless sounds of our culture. Founded in Atlanta, they’ve been called “the new wave of orchestra” for the way they’ve reimagined classical performance and created an experience that feels both nostalgic and revolutionary. Maestro Jason Ikeem Rodgers – conductor, composer, and arranger – is the Founder and Music Director of Orchestra Noir, the Atlanta African-American Orchestra.
Walking into the Saenger Theater that evening, I could feel something in the air. The lights, the chatter of anticipation, the energy—it was all building. As we were escorted to our seats, front and center by the stage, I knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary concert. The theater itself, with its vintage charm and golden glow, felt like the perfect backdrop for what was about to unfold.
When the show kicked off at 8 p.m., the first strike of sound hit like a wave. Strings, horns, drums—all layered with rhythms that brought me straight back to the soundtrack of my life. The early 2000s, the 90s, even the 80s—it all came rushing back as the orchestra transported us through time. I don’t think I sat down for more than five minutes the entire night. This wasn’t a performance that asked you to sit still and listen quietly; this was a celebration. An elevation of sound and soul.
There was something electrifying about seeing classical instruments carry the beats we grew up on. The violins sang, the cellos grooved, the percussion snapped with precision, and the brass section soared like it was born for hip-hop. Every musician on stage wasn’t just playing—they were rocking out together, feeding off one another’s energy, and in turn, fueling ours.
This is what Orchestra Noir does. They take what you thought you knew about orchestras and flip it into something alive, something urgent, something unforgettable. The fusion of genres created a spiritual high, and by the looks of the crowd—dancing, singing, hands in the air—it was clear we were all in sync with the music.
By the end of the night, I found myself wishing it would never end. And I realized this is the kind of performance you don’t just attend once. It’s the type of night you carry with you, and the type of tradition you’ll want to revisit year after year.
If you’ve never been to an Orchestra Noir show, I can’t stress this enough: make plans. This isn’t just music. It’s culture. It’s community. It’s Black excellence at its finest. And it’s a night you’ll never forget.
See a brief highlight of the performance we captured below.
Images: FEMI Magazine
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