Jazz Artist Somi Brings Culture to the Forefront

Moving to Illinois after growing up in Zambia, Africa, Somi found that although her address changed, African culture would always be a part of her, and therefore her music. Her sound, which she likes to call “New African Soul,” takes influences from her background as well as her current state as she reflects on the past, present, and future. Her new album, If The Rain Comes First, features the legendary Hugh Masekela and highlights her powerful voice. She sings in multiple languages, emphasizing her triumph in merging cultures. Working with other talented writers, such as John Legend and Paul Simon, Somi has grown immensely since her start in 2003 when she released her first fully English album. She has draw raves from Jazz Times, All About Jazz, the Boston Globe and was featured in a recent issue of Vogue magazine, where she is described as a "…pioneer of a new and promising generation of emerging African artists." With this new success at her heels and tours abound, Somi is soon to host her new series Africa in Harlem: Jazz Nights, which celebrates Jazz musicians in New York City.

— Amy Vandivort