Brian Barone

Position
Assistant Professor
Affiliated Departments

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Brian Barone is an assistant professor in the Africana studies department. As a scholar, his research focuses on the music histories and sonic cultures of the Black Atlantic, with particular emphasis on West Africa and the Caribbean. His current project addresses the role of African and Black music in shaping global concepts of music across the modern period. He holds a PhD in Musicology and Ethnomusicology from Boston University.

Barone received his training as a guitarist at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the studio of Julian Gray. He remains active as a performer, composer, and music director in classical, experimental, and popular styles. Recent and forthcoming projects include session work with Nigerian “Afrobeats” producers and collaborations with San Francisco-based guitarist Timothy Sherren.

Education
  • School Name
    Boston University
    State or Province
    Massachusetts
    Degree
    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
    Field of Study
    Ethnomusicology
    Date Degree Received
  • School Name
    Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
    Degree
    Master of Music (MM)
    Field of Study
    Guitar
    Date Degree Received
  • School Name
    Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
    Degree
    Bachelor of Music (BM)
    Field of Study
    Guitar
    Date Degree Received
In Their Own Words

I hope for my students to come away from my classes with an appreciation for the richness, depth, and importance of the musical cultures of the African Diaspora. More broadly, I hope to prepare them to be creative, ethical, and informed contributors to today's globe-spanning musical scene.