Cultural Instigator Comes to Jax: Meklit Infuses Her Deep African Roots in a Musical Stew of Flavors Ranging from Jazz, Soul, Blues and Pop

February 12, 2018
1 min read

Photo by John Nilsen

It’s a global beat you can dance to. Atypical Arts Presents in partnership with the Jacksonville Museum of Science & History (MOSH) presents an evening of unique, world music of Meklit Feb 17 at MOSH.

Missing Event Data

As a vocalist, composer and songwriter, Meklit is a “cultural instigator,” infusing her deep African roots in a musical stew of flavors ranging from jazz, soul, blues and pop. Born in Ethopia, the world-renowned artist is influenced by the world around her, infusing Ethio-Jazz with her own storytelling voice.

Her latest record is the critically acclaimed, When The People Move, The Music Does Too, is a collaboration with Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producer Dan Wilson featuring guest appearances by Andrew Bird and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Wilson has worked with such artists as Adele, John Legend and the Dixie Chicks. The 11 deeply personal tracks were inspired by Mulatu Astatke, known as the Godfather of Ethio-Jazz. In 2011, he urged Meklit to “find your contribution to Ethio-Jazz and keep on innovating.”

by Steve Pierce

When The People Move, The Music Does Too reached #4 on the iTunes World Music chart and has recently been named to numerous Best Of 2017 lists. Meklit’s live performance at Lincoln Center’s Atrium has been selected as one of the best concerts in New York City in 2017. She has performed alongside Angelique Kidjo and Anoushka Shankar as a featured singer in the UN Women Theme Song.

In addition to a critically acclaimed musical talent, Meklit is also a TED Senior Fellow. Her TED Talk, The Unexpected Beauty of Everyday Sounds, has been viewed by more than 1.2 million people. She has addressed such topics as developing the skill sets for a creative career, women in songwriting and Immigrant Music for the American Identity. Meklit has received musical commissions from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the MAP Fund. She has embarked on national and international tours, including East Africa.

Photo by Tessa Shimizu

Meklit has also served as Artist in residence at NYU and collaborated with such visionaries as NASA Astrophysicist Jon Jenkins, music legend Pee Wee Ellis and the BBC Harmonic. She co-founded the Nile Project, a network established to inform and inspire Nile citizens to help them collaborate on cultivating the sustainability of their river.

Current Issue

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

Alice Cooper at the AMP
The Amp
Collision Homecoming
JWJ Park Events
omaha-steaks-banners

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Madama Butterfly, Opera, FSCJ Artist Series, Jacksonville, Florida, BUTTERFLY CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE
Previous Story

Voices in Flight: Puccini’s Beloved Opera Madama Butterfly Comes To Jacksonville

Next Story

ALHAMBRA AFTER DARK- ELVIS IS BACK!

Latest from Downtown

THE ILLUSIONISTS will add magic to your season

This Tuesday, for one night only, the record-breaking THE ILLUSIONISTS-MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS will be onstage at the Performing Arts Center in Jacksonville.  Having originated on Broadway, the show features rotating performers who have wowed audiences around the world since 2012. Multi-award-winning Chris Cox – The Mentalist  – has performed

Rumor Has It

Is First Baptist Church controlling Downtown development?  Words by Ambar Ramirez It’s one of the oldest and largest Baptist congregations in Jacksonville. And probably one of the most influential. Whether you were born and raised in Jacksonville or moved to this bold city in recent years, chances are you know

Downtown we will rock you with THE ULTIMATE QUEEN CELEBRATION

This Friday (10/18), Jacksonville rock fans are going to get a special treat.  THE ULTIMATE QUEEN CELEBRATION is coming to our city for one performance only.  This is not a typical tribute or impersonation show, nor is it a story about Freddy Mercury and the original group.  This is a

Jacksonville Is Getting in Its Own Way … Again.

What is really happening with the Laura Street Trio? Words by Carmen Macri In the very heart of Downtown Jacksonville lies the very vacant Laura Street Trio. The buildings have been deteriorating for more than 30 years with graffiti covering the walls and overgrown weeds taking over the landscape.

Bold Love Fest

Words by Emily Cannon A festival for bold love in the Bold City, the Bold Love Fest is a concert and festival celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride for all. The inaugural event, producedy by Bold Events, will take place at Daily’s Place on June 15. The festival will feature artists such as
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

Kids Free November

Bring the Whole Family for Kids Free November in Jacksonville
Fishing the First Coast: Jacksonville and Northeast Florida are a Fisherman’s Paradise, Photos by James Brown

5 Outdoor Activities You Can Do with Your Family in Jacksonville

Though it doesn’t always make the top beach lists, Jacksonville