**Podcast Summary: "Classic Music Saved Me with Samora Pinderhughes"
Podcast: takin' a walk
Host: Buzz Knight, iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: June 14, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Classic Music Saved Me with Samora Pinderhughes", host Buzz Knight engages in a profound conversation with Emmy Award-winning composer, lyricist, vocalist, filmmaker, social-political activist, and scholar, Samora Pinderhughes. The discussion delves into Samora’s multifaceted career, his Healing Project, and the transformative power of music in personal and societal healing.

Samora’s Musical Journey

Samora Pinderhughes shares his lifelong connection to music, beginning at the tender age of two. His first exposure came through Jacqueline Rogo, a musician who visited his preschool, igniting his passion.

Samora Pinderhughes [04:38]: "I've been playing my whole life. I actually started at age 2... Jacqueline Rogo... she played pieces that captivated me, and I never stopped since."

He transitioned from Venezuelan traditional music to Cuban music, and eventually to jazz, maintaining an unbroken relationship with music throughout his life.

The Healing Project: Inspiration and Goals

Central to the conversation is Samora's Healing Project, an initiative exploring themes of incarceration, violence, and systemic oppression through music. Inspired by his mentor, playwright Emma Duger Smith, Samora seeks to use the "music of language" as an entryway into understanding and healing societal wounds.

Samora Pinderhughes [06:04]: "I was super inspired by Emma Duger Smith... So I kind of just decided to try my own spin on that with her blessing."

The project aims to humanize those affected by the prison-industrial complex, bridging the societal distance that often marginalizes these experiences.

Collaborations and Influences: Working with Herbie Hancock

Samora discusses his collaboration with jazz legend Herbie Hancock, whom he regards as a hero and a primary influence in his musical journey.

Samora Pinderhughes [11:41]: "Herbie's my hero. He's the reason I started playing piano... His boundless curiosity and playfulness are incredibly inspiring."

Working alongside Herbie has deepened Samora's appreciation for continuous learning and exploration in music, emphasizing the importance of maintaining curiosity and energy regardless of age or acclaim.

Music and Personal Healing

The dialogue shifts to the personal healing aspects of music. Samora distinguishes between music as a language that provides him with the tools to articulate his emotions and the actual healing processes he engages in, such as therapy and community support.

Samora Pinderhughes [14:09]: "Music gives me language... But I have to go out and find the tools that I need to actually do the healing."

He underscores the dual role of music: offering a means of expression and reflecting listeners' experiences, thereby fostering a shared sense of understanding and connection.

Combining Art Forms: Music, Film, and Poetry

Samora elaborates on his integration of music with other art forms like film and poetry. He views music as cinematic, envisioning songs as scenes that develop characters and narratives.

Samora Pinderhughes [17:45]: "I see [songs] as scenes. That's how I develop the characters and things like that."

This multidisciplinary approach enhances the depth of his storytelling, allowing for richer, more immersive experiences in his creative works.

Role of the Artist: Service and Responsibility

Drawing inspiration from James Baldwin, Samora articulates his philosophy on the role of artists as servants to society. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and service over commercial success.

Samora Pinderhughes [22:11]: "The role and responsibility of the artist is to be of service... It's a matter of trust... to the ears and the hearts of the people that need it."

He believes that by staying true to his creative process without succumbing to external pressures, his work can genuinely resonate and effect change.

Impact and Audience Feedback

Samora shares heartfelt feedback from fans who find solace and reflection in his music. Songs from his albums, such as "Grief" and "Forgive Yourself," have helped listeners navigate complex emotions and personal struggles.

Music Fan [27:59]: "With this song, that was my experience, and I've never heard it articulate in that way."

This connection between artist and audience highlights the profound impact music can have on individual healing and communal understanding.

Future Projects and Hopes: Transforming the Healing Project

Recently transforming the Healing Project into a full-fledged organization, Samora outlines his ambitions to expand its reach and effectiveness. The organization aims to blend artistic endeavors with direct services, advocating for abolitionist perspectives and influencing policy changes related to the prison-industrial complex.

Samora Pinderhughes [29:51]: "We're building a lot of models for collective ownership of art... using the art to directly affect policy around the prison industrial complex."

His hope is to inspire and provide opportunities for artists dedicated to addressing these critical social issues, fostering a collective movement towards a more healing-oriented society.

Conclusion

In closing, host Buzz Knight commends Samora for his visionary work and expresses excitement for his upcoming project, "Venus Smiles not in the House of Tears." The episode wraps with affirmations of the transformative power of music and gratitude for Samora's contributions to art and activism.

Lynne Hoffman [33:06]: "You are being the change that you want to see... creating a legacy. That's pretty darn special."

Samora reciprocates the appreciation, reinforcing his commitment to the mission that has defined his artistic and activist endeavors.

Final Notes

This episode of "takin' a walk" offers an intimate glimpse into Samora Pinderhughes' dedication to using music as a tool for personal and societal healing. Through his innovative Healing Project and collaborative spirit, Samora exemplifies the profound impact that authentic, purpose-driven art can have on both creators and audiences alike.