Critically acclaimed for her “African grooves, supple jazz singing and compassionate social consciousness … both serious and seductive” by The New York Times, Somi is known for her wide-ranging vocal technique and her original blend of modern jazz with African music styles. The multi-faceted singer, songwriter, playwright, and actor of Rwandan and Ugandan descent has built a career of transatlantic storytelling to give voice to issues of social justice, transnationalism, womanhood, and global constructions of Blackness.
Having received rave reviews from her recent new musical Dreaming Zenzile, the Grammy-nominated international music sensation comes to the Apollo to perform music from this lauded work as well as her companion album Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba. She is joined by a roster of special guests in this festive celebration of the late South African singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba and her invaluable musical contributions and messages of social justice.
Leadership support for Somi and Friends: The Reimagination of Mariam Makeba is provided by the HBO Fund for Theater. Additional support is provided by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Part of the Africa Now! Festival.
