
Angélika Beener
HostAngélika Beener is an award-winning journalist, DJ, host, and producer. Angélika has contributed her work to Downbeat, TIDAL, The Huffington Post, NPR Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and National Public Radio. In addition, she has contributed liner notes to several acclaimed recording projects, including two GRAMMY®-winning albums. A journalist who writes about music and culture at the intersections of race, gender, and generation, her work in public radio has been recognized by The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and The New York Association of Black Journalists.
Additionally, you can find her name attached to various notable recording projects including Droppin’ Science: Greatest Samples from the Blue Note Lab; Marcus Strickland’s People Of the Sun; and legendary bassist Ron Carter’s Dear Miles. An advocate for gender and racial equity, particularly in the arts, Angélika served as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for Willie Mae Rock Camp, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering girls and gender-expansive youth through music education and mentorship.
In 2019, Angélika was consulting producer for the award-winning documentary Digging for Weldon Irvine, based on the unsung jazz fusion forefather. She was featured in the 2022 documentary Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag, alongside the film’s executive producer MLB All-Star Mookie Betts, NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, WNBA all-star Candice Wiggins, MLB veteran Alex Rodriguez, and acclaimed historian Peter Dreier.
As host, Angélika has emceed the Jazz Journalist Association Awards three times. In 2021, she co-hosted Jazz Foundation of America’s “Spotlight Jazz” mini gala at City Winery with award-winning actor, producer, and activist Danny Glover.
In May of 2021, Angélika was a guest panelist for Marvin Gaye and the Legacy of What’s Going On: Christian McBride in Conversation, which included fellow panelists Janis Gaye, David Ritz, Nelson George, and Steven Reineke, presented by 92Y.
In November 2022, Angélika co-produced and directed Represent! A Night of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Spoken Word at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) with NJPAC Jazz Advisor and musical director Christian McBride. The historic program uniquely brought these artistic mediums together with an illustrious line-up including Black Thought (The Roots), Speech (Arrested Development), Councilman Dupre “Doitall” Kelly (Lords of the Underground), and legendary poets and spoken word performers Nikki Giovanni, jessica Care moore, Mayor Ras Baraka, and The Last Poets. The concert, a major highlight of the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, was also a part of City Verses, a unique joint initiative between NJPAC and Rutgers-Newark, which celebrates the rich historical connection between jazz and poetry, creates opportunities for public engagement, strengthens community ties through the arts, amplifies the authentic voices of the people of Greater Newark, and engages a new generation of poets, jazz musicians and teaching artists.
As a DJ and music curator, Angélika has performed at several notable NYC venues, including Le Poisson Rouge, Triad Theater, Madam X, Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn’s Dumbo Drop, and Ginny’s Supper Club. She was the featured DJ at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2020 Worldwide Concert for Our Culture Gala after-party and for The National Jazz Museum in Harlem Gala in 2022.
Visit kulturedchild.com to stay in touch.
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In honor of Coltrane's 97th birthday, renowned astrologer Sam Reynolds joins Milestones host Angelika Beener to explore the inner journey of John Coltrane through the lens of astrology.
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Lauded musicians Josh Evans and Marcus Strickland join Milestones to discuss the debut album from saxophone giant Joe Henderson.
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It's hip hop's 50th birthday! On the latest episode of Milestones, Black media legend Ralph McDaniels joins to discuss the legacy of his pioneering television program, Video Music Box.
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GRAMMY® award-winning trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, vocalist, and activist Keyon Harrold joins Milestones to discuss Donald Byrd's groundbreaking masterpiece Black Byrd, released 50 years ago this year.
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GRAMMY-nominated musicians Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke discuss their brand-new, long-awaited album, as well as their mutual mentor Herbie Hancock in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his groundbreaking funk-meets-jazz album, Head Hunters.
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It's Black Music Month! On this special throwback edition of Milestones, we're going deep into the archives to the very first episode, never released on WBGO Studios until now. Our special guest Marcus Strickland joins us to discuss a fan favorite, John Coltrane's My Favorite Things.
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On the week of Ramsey Lewis' 88th birthday, Gentleman of Jazz co-author Aaron Cohen and Lewis' wife and closest confidant Jan join Milestones to discuss everything from Lewis' activism and mentorship, to his exceptional work in media.
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In the second part of our special two-part episode with T.S. Monk, we discuss what many consider to be his father's great quartet, with saxophonist Charlie Rouse, bassist John Ore and drummer Frankie Dunlop; Monk’s role as mentor; and why his High Priest of Bebop moniker deserves expansion.
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It's a family affair on the latest episode of Milestones as drummer-bandleader, recording artist and educator T.S. Monk joins for a special two-part episode.
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Critically acclaimed guitarist, composer and educator Mike Moreno joins MILESTONES to discuss the deeply personal, lifelong impact of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon on its 50th anniversary.