• The Joseph Bologne Quartet’s mission is to inspire students of color with the knowledge that classical music is part of their cultural history through the performance of the music of Black and Hispanic composers
  • To bring the brilliant music of composers of color to a wider audience through our educational concerts
  • All proceeds from our programs and CDs are donated to purchase instruments for students who do not own their own instruments

Who are the Joseph Bologne Quartet members?  We are a group of young, award-winning musicians who have grown up together playing in orchestras, chamber groups, music summer camps at the Colburn School and other music schools.  People are often surprised by our high level of music making because of our age.  Many of us have performed professionally, including at the Shrine Auditorium and the Microsoft Theater with The Piano Guys before audiences of over 6000.

Wesley and Friends perform at Microsoft Theater

Wesley, Kai, and Friends performing at Microsoft Theater

On Stage with The Piano Guys

The Joseph Bologne Quartet

Our Story:  How It All Began

My name is Wesley Wells, and I got the idea for the Joseph Bologne Quartet one day when I discovered Joseph Bologne on the Internet.  I was immediately captivated by the beautiful music and heroic life story of this amazing artist of African descent.  Besides being a gifted composer and violinist, Joseph Bologne was also the best swordsman in France.  The fact that Joseph was both a musician and athlete made me identify with him all the more because, besides being a violinist, I am also a baseball player.  My friend and partner, Kai actually is a fencer so he identifies with Joseph Bologne just as much!

Kai and I were already giving concerts at retirement homes and educational violin presentations for STEAM nights at elementary schools.  I thought we could begin to play Joseph Bologne’s beautiful music and talk about his life as an African musician and composer.  That thought expanded into the idea that we should seek out other minority composers to play and talk about.  The idea developed further when we learned that some students in our high school orchestras did not have instruments to play all summer while out of school.  (The thought was outrageous for us because we have grown up practicing every day.)  That is when the Joseph Bologne Quartet non-profit took its final shape:  I realized we could use our concerts and talks about minority composers to raise money to donate to buy instruments for students who don’t have their own.