The women crossed paths one night in late July of 2010 in Philadelphia, in what was one of the most surprising public performances for fans of either woman. Not many were aware that Condoleezza Rice trained as a classical pianist when she was young, and even briefly considered a career as a concert pianist, according to Britannica.
On this particular night at a benefit for the Mann Center, Rice tinkled the ivories again to help raise money for arts education, at the invitation of the Queen of Soul herself. After performing on the piano with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Rice later accompanied Franklin on the piano for one song, “I Say a Little Prayer” (via The Washington Post). After Franklin performed a set, she brought Rice back to help her close out the show with “My Country, Tis of Thee.” And that’s the surprising musical connection between the American diplomat and the Queen of Soul.
