Critically acclaimed vocalist Somi is set to launch
Baryshnikov Arts Center’s (BAC) 2016 Fall season with a performance on Tuesday,
September 27 at BAC’s Jerome Robbins Theater in New York, NY. Joining Somi will
be guitarist Nir Felder, pianist Toru Dodo, bassist Ben Williams, and drummer
Nate Smith.
Somi, who is often referred to as a modern day Miriam Makeba
and who was recently hailed by the Huffington Post as “the new Nina Simone,”
blends jazz and world music into a new art form that is as unique as it is
inspiring. She will perform a program of songs from her repertoire–both old and
new–and will also be the featured performance of BAC’s annual Fall Fête on
Monday, September 26.
“The fall is the perfect season to step into earthier,
warmer things while reflecting on the changes in ourselves and in the world
around us,” comments Somi. “I hope to do just that during my performance.”
The performance marks a return to BAC for the songstress,
following the BAC Space creative residency she received in Fall 2015 to develop
Dreaming Zenzile, a jazz opera inspired by the late South African singer and
political activist, Miriam Makeba.
“The generosity and structure of my Baryshnikov Arts Center
residency led to a highly generative and deeply focused creative period during
which I was able to make significant strides in the development of my ongoing
projects,” reflects Somi. “I am thankful for the good and necessary
space-making work of BAC. It speaks
volumes about the legacy, generosity, and vision of Mikhail Baryshnikov and his
Center.”
The residency came after Somi garnered critical acclaim for
her chart-topping 2014 album The Lagos Music Salon (Sony/OKeh), which was
inspired by an 18-month sabbatical in Lagos, Nigeria and featured special
guests Angelique Kidjo, Common and Ambrose Akinmusire.
Born in Illinois to immigrants from Uganda and Rwanda, the
African and jazz legacies are always crucial to her sound. As a TED Senior
Fellow and also founder of the New Africa Live, a nonprofit dedicated to
celebrating the best contemporary African Artists working in performance,
visual and literary arts, Somi has for the last decade carved out a career of
singing and being an activist. She has also been honored for her activism and
connection to African art, being invited to perform at the United Nations by
Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon, invited to perform at Carnegie Hall (alongside
her longtime mentor Hugh Masekela as well as Dave Matthews and Vusi Mahlesela
in celebration of 20 years of South African democracy), and a headline
performance at the National Museum of African Art’s (Smithsonian Institution)
50th Anniversary Gala, among others.
Performance & Ticket Info:
Somi
September 27, 2016 / Tuesday at 8PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center
Jerome Robbins Theater, 450 W. 37th St., NYC 10018
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