Born in Illinois to Rwandan and Ugandan immigrants, acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Somi has built a career of transatlantic sonicism and storytelling. Her latest recording, “Petite Afrique,” for Sony Music’s historic OKeh Records marks her sixth album ;– a timely song cycle about the dignity of immigrants and the gentrification of Harlem’s vibrant West African quarter. Guest collaborators on her albums include Common, Angelique Kidjo, Hugh Masekela, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Aloe Blacc. Somi is a TED Senior Fellow, an inaugural Association of Performing Arts Presenters Fellow, a former Artist-in-Residence at Park Avenue Armory, UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance, The Apollo Theater, Robert ;Rauschenberg Foundation, and Baryshnikov Arts Center. She is the founder of New Africa Live, a non-profit organization that celebrates her fellow African artists. Besides touring, Somi is currently developing a modern jazz opera about legendary singer-activist Miriam Makeba that will premiere in fall 2018.