New Jazz voice from Africa – SOMI!

Inserted: 05.06.2013

  Festival „Rigas Ritmi 2013” presents – new African jazz artist Somi in a concert at 4th of July in Riga Congress Center!
 
  Though a large portion of her life Somi or Laura Audrey Kabasomi Akiiki Kakoma has spent in Chicago, US, her music has been inspired by her Rwandese roots, as well as travels across Africa as part of children’s aid organizations. The artist’s webpage says “Somi loves you and currently is working on new sounds and memories in Lagos, Nigeria”.

  Somi has worked with artists of different genres, including Mos Def, Bobby McFerrin, John Legend, Paul Simon, as well as the legendary South African trumpeter and her mentor Hugh Masekela. “The Boston Globe” writes “Somi takes her sound to a new level” and many compare her to such vocal heavyweights as Nina Simone and Cesaria Evora.

  The artist and cello player is a graduate of the New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and gained her first serious recognition in 2007 with the single “Inglee”. Somi sings in English, Nigerian and Yoruba.  

  It is important for Somi to help others - in 2011 she was named the TED Global Fellow, as well as is the founder of the non-profit organization “New Africa Live”, aimed at promoting contemporary African artists and musicians.
The two-piece concert, set to take place on July 4th at the Riga Congress Center, Somi and Robert Glasper are to perform at 19:00 pm!