Condoleezza Rice and Aretha Franklin Join in Musical Partnership

July 28, 2010 — -- Condoleezza Rice was President George W. Bush's secretary of state. Aretha Franklin is one of music's greatest talents, with 20 Grammy awards to her name.

So what could the diva and the diplomat have in common?

"We do have some things in common, but I am a democrat forever, let me be very clear about that, alright?" Franklin said laughing.

"Well, we're all Americans and President Obama is my president as well," Rice said. But there's much more to it than that.

For one, both are minister's daughters. And both are devoted to music.

That love of music brought the two to the same stage last night.

An unlikely duo, Franklin's powerhouse voice and Rice's prowess on the piano came together alongside the acclaimed Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Music Center to raise money for inner city music education.

Even though they're on opposite ends of the political spectrum -- Franklin is a Democrat, and Rice was a Republican president's secretary of state and national security adviser -- both women are in agreement about the importance of music.

"Music is critical for young minds because not only does it make you a well-rounded person, but it really does develop different cognitive pathways, different ways of thinking and learning," Rice told "Good Morning America."

Franklin said their partnership transcended politics.

"This is about making a social contribution. And it is purely from the artistic point of view that we come together," she said.

The two first met at a White House dinner, and while there, Franklin said she heard someone say that Rice played with a symphony.

"And I said 'Condoleezza Rice plays with a symphony? Plays what?'"

When she learned Rice played the piano, Franklin said, "This I had to hear."

In fact, Rice had given up a career in classical music to pursue her other passion: international relations. Even as she occupied one of the highest posts in the nation's government, she kept playing.

She accompanied world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 2002 and has performed for Queen Elizabeth II of England.