Delphin & Romain was an American classical piano duo formed by pianists Wilfred Delphin and Edwin Romain. Active from 1977 to 1995, the duo was among the first African American piano duos to perform on the international professional concert circuit. Delphin & Romain performed widely throughout the United States as well as in South America, Europe, and Asia. Its repertoire included standard works for piano duo alongside music by African American and other Black composers.Pamela Pike, “Wilfred Delphin: Breaking Barriers through a Life in Music,” Piano Magazine 17, no. 13 (Autumn 2025): 15. In addition to appearing in major concert venues, the duo also performed in smaller communities, sometimes transporting their own pianos to facilitate performances.Joseph McLellan, “Keep on Truckin’,” Washington Post, December 22, 1981.
Delphin & Romain has been credited with helping expand opportunities for Black classical pianists in the United States beginning in the late 1970s and continuing throughout its career, which ended shortly before the death of Edwin Romain in 1995.Pamela Pike, “Congratulations to the LMTA Pioneer Award Recipients Delphin & Romain Piano Duo!,” The Score: A Publication of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association, Mardi Gras 2026, 8.
Education and career Wilfred Delphin (b. 1949) and Edwin Romain (1950–1995) met as undergraduate students at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans in 1968. They later pursued graduate studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) and earned doctoral degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.Pike, “Wilfred Delphin,” 16-17.
Delphin & Romain made its professional debut in 1977 at Carnegie Hall, appearing as soloists with the Symphony of the New World in Francis Poulenc's Concerto in D minor for Two Pianos. Writing in The New York Times, John Rockwell praised the debut performance as "fluent, neatly meshed, well‐balanced . . . consistently musical."John Rockwell, “New World Ensemble: Mixed Luck,” New York Times, October 17, 1977.
The duo later appeared as soloists with orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony.“Classical Duo-Pianists to Appear at SVSU,” Interior (Saginaw Valley State University), April 9, 1991, Saginaw Valley State University Archives.
During the late 1970s and 1980s the duo maintained an active performing career while also holding academic appointments.
In 1979 Delphin & Romain moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where the pianists were appointed Artists-in-Residence at the College of Charleston.“Appointments,” Black Music Research Newsletter, Spring 1979. During their years in Charleston, they were active in the city's musical life, including appearances connected with the Spoleto Festival USA and other cultural events in the area.“SC Governor's Awards for the Arts 50th Anniversary,” PBS, January 5, 2023, video, 52:37, interview with Wilfred Delphin at 7:07–12:34.
In 1988 Delphin & Romain accepted teaching positions on the faculty at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.Gus Bode, “Tribute for Professor Tonight,” Daily Egyptian (Southern Illinois University), February 16, 1996.
Selected performances The duo appeared at major concert venues and festivals in the United States and internationally. Selected performances include: Carnegie Hall debut, October 16, 1977 – performed Francis Poulenc's Concerto in D minor for Two Pianos with the Symphony of the New World. National Black Music Colloquium, January 11, 1980. John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.Susanna Garcia and William Chapman Nyaho, “Preface,” in Thomas Henderson Kerr Jr., Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel? Concert Scherzo for Two Pianos, ed. Susanna Garcia and William Chapman Nyaho (Princeton, NJ: The Frances Clark Center, Piano Education Press, 2024), 8-9. White House performance, February 20, 1980, during a state dinner honoring Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi.“Menus for State Dinners during the Carter Administration,” Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. New York Philharmonic, December 29–30, 1981, conducted by Zubin Mehta, performing Mendelssohn's Concerto for Two Pianos in E major. New York Philharmonic, program for December 29, 1981, Program ID 6877, New York Philharmonic Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives.
Carnegie Hall recital, March 21, 1982.Theodore W. Libbey Jr., “Pianists Delphin and Romain,” New York Times, March 25, 1982.
Repertoire In addition to performing the standard classical two-piano repertoire, Delphin & Romain promoted works by African American and other Black composers. The duo's programs included music by composers such as Thomas H. Kerr Jr. (1915–1988), Roque Jacinto Cordero (1917–2008), George Walker (1922–2018), and Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941).Wilfred Delphin and Edwin Romain, interview by Bruce Posner and Joe Patrych, Concert Grande, WFUV Radio, March 15, 1982.Libbey, “Pianists Delphin and Romain.”“Delphin and Romain Charm Carnegie Hall Audience with Duo Piano Recital,” New York Amsterdam News, April 3, 1982.
The duo also commissioned new works for two pianos, supported emerging composers of diverse backgrounds, and presented premiere performances of contemporary repertoire. Selected commissions and premiere performances are summarized below. +Commissions and PremieresComposerTitleCommissionPremiereDavid MavesDuet No. 1 (1964)March 1976David Maves, “Duet No. 1 (for Piano 4-Hands),” accessed April 16, 2026Roque Jacinto CorderoDuo 1954 for Two PianosJanuary 11, 1980National Black Music Colloquium and Competition Program Book. January 11, 1980, Thomas Henderson Kerr Jr. Papers (Sc MG 763). Box 2, Folder 6.David MavesConcerto for Two Pianos and OrchestraOctober 22, 1983Bowling Green State University, “4th Annual New Music Festival,” program booklet, October 1983, accessed April 16, 2026. David MavesMusic for Two Pianos (1983)June 1984David Maves, “Music for 2 Pianos,” accessed April 16, 2026George WalkerMusic for Two Pianos1985April 4, 1986Rob Heathcote, “Duo to ‘Tickle the Ivories,’ Play World Premiere Composition,” The Purdue Exponent, April 3, 1986, 9.Adolphus Hailstork Sonata for Two PianosAdolphus Hailstork, Sonata for Two Pianos (Bryn Mawr, PA: Theodore Presser Company, 1987).1987Hale SmithMirrors: Rondo-Variations for Two PianosMarilyn Harris, “A Tribute to Composer Hale Smith,” accessed April 16, 2026.1988Frank StemperEver Since That Day 1989February 5, 1991Frank Stemper, “Ever Since That Day,” accessed April 16, 2026
Recordings Although Delphin & Romain did not produce commercial audio or video recordings, limited documentation of the duo's performances has been preserved on archival and educational websites.Delphin and Romain interview, Concert Grande, March 15, 1982.Frank Stemper. “Ever Since That Day.” Delphin & Romain performance of commissioned piece. Contemporary Record Society, “CRS 8530,” in “CRS LP Recordings,” Delphin & Romain performance of Michael Schelle's "Music for Two Pianos." Also found at https://ivarlunde.net/AudioCDs.html
Awards and recognition
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Advocacy Award for Impact on the Music Teaching Profession, 2025 Louisiana Music Teachers Association (LMTA) Pioneer Award, 2025.Pike, “Congratulations to the LMTA Pioneer Award Recipients,” 8.Louisiana Music Teachers Association, “LMTA Pioneer Award,” accessed March 12, 2026. Gambit Tribute to the Classical Arts, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016.Diane Mack, “Inside the Arts: Pianist Wilfred Delphin Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award,” WWNO, January 21, 2016. Timothy David Ray, “Achievement vs. Service: Dr. Wilfred Delphin — Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient,” The New Orleans Agenda Newsletter, January 27, 2016. South Carolina Governor's Award for the Arts, South Carolina Arts Commission, 1988.South Carolina Arts Commission, “Past Governor's Award Recipients.” “SC Governor's Awards for the Arts,” 7:07–12:34.
Member biographies
Wilfred Delphin (b. 1949, El Dorado, Arkansas) is an American classical pianist and educator. A longtime professor of piano at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), he is best known as one half of the piano duo Delphin & Romain, the piano duo that performed internationally from 1977 to 1995. After retiring from SIUC in 2004, he continued performing and teaching, including serving as artist-in-residence at Xavier University of Louisiana, his alma mater. Delphin was a founding pianist and rehearsal coach for OperaCréole and has participated in community initiatives including Peace Corps volunteer work in Senegal and recovery efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.OperaCréole, “Wilfred Delphin,” accessed March 5, 2026.
Edwin Romain (1950–1995, New Orleans, Louisiana) was an American classical pianist and educator. A professor of piano at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he co-founded the piano duo Delphin & Romain with Wilfred Delphin. The duo debuted at Carnegie Hall in 1977 and performed internationally until 1995. In addition to his performing career, Romain was active as a teacher and lecturer, presenting recitals, workshops, and educational programs throughout the United States. His career ended with his death in 1995.“Edwin Romain Jr.,” obituary, Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL), May 22, 1995, Newspapers.com
Footnotes
References “Appointments.” Black Music Research Newsletter. Spring 1979. Announcement of Wilfred Delphin and Edwin Romain as Artists-in-Residence at the College of Charleston. Bode, Gus. “Tribute for Professor Tonight.” Daily Egyptian (Southern Illinois University), February 16, 1996. Bowling Green State University. “4th Annual New Music Festival.” Program booklet. October 1983. Accessed April 16, 2026. "Classical Duo-Pianists to Appear at SVSU." Interior (Saginaw Valley State University). April 9, 1991. Saginaw Valley State University Archives. “Delphin and Romain Charm Carnegie Hall Audience with Duo Piano Recital.” New York Amsterdam News, April 3, 1982. Delphin, Wilfred, and Edwin Romain. Interview by Bruce Posner and Joe Patrych. Concert Grande, WFUV Radio, March 15, 1982. Includes performance. “Edwin Romain.” Obituary. Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL), May 22, 1995. Newspapers.com. Garcia, Susanna and William Chapman Nyaho. 2024. "Preface" In Thomas Henderson Kerr Jr., Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel? Concert Scherzo for Two Pianos, edited by Susanna Garcia and William Chapman Nyaho, 4–15. Princeton, NJ: The Frances Clark Center, Piano Education Press, 2024. Hailstork, Adolphus. Sonata for Two Pianos. Bryn Mawr, PA: Theodore Presser Company, 1987. Harris, Marilyn. “A Tribute to Composer Hale Smith.” Accessed April 16, 2026. Heathcote, Rob. “Duo to ‘Tickle the Ivories,’ Play World Premiere Composition.” The Purdue Exponent. April 3, 1986, 9. Libbey, Theodore W., Jr. Pianists Delphin and Romain. New York Times. March 25, 1982. (Concert Review) Louisiana Music Teachers Association. “LMTA Pioneer Award.” Accessed March 12, 2026. Mack, Diane. “Inside the Arts: Pianist Wilfred Delphin Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award.” WWNO. January 21, 2016. Maves, David. “Duet No. 1 (for Piano 4-Hands).” Accessed April 16, 2026. Maves, David. “Music for 2 Pianos.” Accessed April 16, 2026 McLellan, Joseph. "Keep on Truckin'" Washington Post. December 22, 1981. “Menus for State Dinners during the Carter Administration.” Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. New York Philharmonic, concert program, December 29, 1981, Program ID 6877, New York Philharmonic Shelby White & Leon Levy Digital Archives. OperaCréole. “Wilfred Delphin.” Accessed March 5, 2026. Pike, Pamela. "Congratulations to the LMTA Pioneer Award Recipients Delphin & Romain Piano Duo!" The Score: A Publication of Louisiana Music Teachers Association. Mardi Gras 2026: 8-9.