Carlos Simon unpacks his heritage and pays tribute to ancestors in 'Requiem for the Enslaved'

Carlos Simon's debut album entitled "Requiem for the Enslaved," was released today. (Courtesy of Carlos Simon)

Atlanta native Carlos Simon is an acclaimed composer whose latest work is “Requiem for the Enslaved.” The piece has been recorded for the Decca label, and the album is being released today in observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday. Carlos Simon is also the composer in residence for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and teaches composition at Georgetown University. He joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to talk about how his new take on the Catholic requiem honors Black Americans and mourns the treatment of their ancestors. 

Interview highlights:

How the unearthed history of Georgetown inspired a new work of art: