Julius Eastman (1940-1990) was an avant-garde composer, pianist, singer, and dancer whose work was rooted in classical music but borrowed liberally from jazz and pop. Based in New York, his identity as a proudly gay African-American led him to give his works provocative titles such as Evil Nigger and Gay Guerrilla, while it also prevented him from finding professional opportunities. He died homeless and addicted to drugs. His unorthodox system of musical notation has impeded but not prevented performances of his work.