Join Meklit as she celebrates the release of her latest full length record A Piece of Infinity on Smithsonian Folkways.
A Piece of Infinity, the latest album by Meklit, is an invitation to think, to love, and to groove. Celebrating the rich musical traditions of Ethiopia, the Addis-born, San Francisco based vocalist, songwriter, and composer molds folk tunes from a multitude of communities and cultures throughout Ethiopia into jazz-inflected fantasies imbued with warmth and reverence. At its center is Meklit’s voice, which soars and whispers, intoning strength and devotion in multiple languages. From songs of longing and love to children's riddles and original compositions, Meklit traverses expansive sonic ground that offers just a glimpse at the infinite complexity of Ethiopian culture. Featuring guest appearances by harpist Brandee Younger and flutist Camille Thurman and recorded at San Francisco’s Women’s Audio Mission.
Meklit is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, composer, known for her electric stage presence, innovative Ethio-jazz sound and vibrant cultural strategy. Her performances have taken her to stages across the globe, and to the top of world music charts across the US, Europe, and Ethiopia. She is a visiting artist at Stanford University, a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, a Taproot Fellow, and the winner of the globalFEST Artist Award. Meklit is the co-founder, host and co-producer of "Movement," a podcast, radio show, live performance series and community building initiative uplifting the songs and stories of immigrant musicians, broadcasting monthly on PRX’s The World to 2.5 million listeners.
Meklit has collaborated with world renowned artists Wangechi Mutu, Kronos Quartet, Andrew Bird, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the late musical legend Pee Wee Ellis, and NASA’s Jon Jenkins. She has been commissioned to create new works by Lincoln Center, MAP Fund, Creative Work Fund and many more. She is the former Chief of Program at YBCA. She has been an artist in residence at Harvard, a featured voice in UN Women’s theme song, and the co-founder of the Nile Project. Meklit’s work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, CNN, NPR, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Vibe Magazine, and many more.
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