Carlos Simon, GRAMMY-Nominated Composer, Curator and Activist

Arts Unscripted with Monica Holt · Mar 26, 2026 · 37m

Music has the power to move a room. For composer Carlos Simon, that effect was first felt in church, where music was both a creative act and a shared experience.

Raised in a family steeped in ministry and musical tradition, Carlos grew up surrounded by gospel, jazz, and the spontaneity of worship. From playing organ by ear during Sunday services to his later work with orchestras, film, and opera, he has built a compositional voice that blurs boundaries: bridging sacred and secular, improvisation and form, tradition and innovation.

In this episode, Carlos traces his path to becoming one of…