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"Imagine the earthy gutsiness of Nina Simone blended with the vocal beauty of Dianne Reeves. Such is Somi." - JazzTimes Magazine. ******************************************************************
She is a daughter of the New African world. Born in Illinois to East African parents, Somi and her six siblings began to shuffle through the life of a diplomatic family. Thus exposing Somi to stories and music from all over the world. Her lyrically magnificent new album Red Soil In My Eyes is a resonant and soulful celebration of her Rwandese and Ugandan heritage that fantastically speaks of returning Home. But where is home? one might ask Somi, a young citizen of the world. Well, she has found Home in her music. Singing has been a journey of healing, says the young singer/songwriter, and while she celebrates the innate Jazz feel in her music, that is the reason she refers to it as Holistic New African Soul. I want my music to put people in a place of bliss and inspiration. The same place I am when I write. I want people to be touched by music, the same way I continue to be. Thus, Somi's music relentlessly evokes all that is pure, honest, and true. Listening to her exhale a belly full of stories on life, love, and liberation, one is involuntarily reminded of their own private moments of passion. Throughout Somi's songwriting, her voice soars over, through, and in between nuances of an incomparable musicianship that organically fuses jazz, classic soul, African folk, and rare urban grooves.
Currently living in New York City, the young songwriter has been featured on CNN International, The Ananda Lewis Show, VH1, BET and MTV, while becoming a critical favorite through her sold-out performances at venues like The Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joes Pub, B.B.King's in Times Square, and The Blue Note in New York. In addition to performing at The Blue Note's 2005 New Years Eve celebration after Cassandra Wilson, Somi has worked with Roy Hargrove, Amel Larrieux, Lionel Loueke, and Lonnie Plaxico. With praise from Hugh Masekela, Cheik Tidiane Seck, and the generous sponsorship of the International French Cultural Center, Somi and her ferociously beautiful acoustic band were selected to tour through 15 African countries in 2006. in April of 2007, Somi released the album Red Soil in My Eyes on her own label SanaaHouse Productions while securing an international distribution deal with World Village/Harmonia Mundi Records. For months, the album maintained a steady position in the top 10 of US World Music Charts and wide critical praise. Effortlessly blending genres and hemispheres with fluidity, emotion, and beauty, the talented vocalist also found time to complete a Masters degree at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts while performing in the States and abroad. Truly, Red Soil In My Eyes showcases the multi-cultural sophistication of a world citizen, the sensitive, observant soul of an appreciative native of planet Earth, who goes home every time she sings.
Hey Somi,
Just wanted to stop by your page to show you some luv!!! Glad to see we are still friendz and that you are still doing your thing. We haven’t talk in a while. So what have you been up to?? Come check your boy out and hope we can talk soon. But stay safe this Easter weekend!!!
HS
