Somi at Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society

“A virtuosic performer in full command of her instrument and powers.” (The New York Times)

Vocalist, composer, actor, and playwright Somi Kakoma, the daughter of immigrants from Uganda and Rwanda, is a sublimely gifted artist possessed of rare power and clarity. Known in the jazz world simply as ‘Somi’, her 2021 grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album made her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the Grammy jazz categories. Hailed for her story-based songwriting and deeply emotive live performances she has been compared to greats such as Miriam Makeba, Dianne Reeves and Nina Simone. Somi is also a recipient of the 2023 Doris Duke Artist Award, two NAACP Image Awards for Best Vocal Jazz Album, and the inaugural Jazz Music Award for Best Vocal Performance....

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“A virtuosic performer in full command of her instrument and powers.” (The New York Times)

Vocalist, composer, actor, and playwright Somi Kakoma, the daughter of immigrants from Uganda and Rwanda, is a sublimely gifted artist possessed of rare power and clarity. Known in the jazz world simply as ‘Somi’, her 2021 grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album made her the first African woman ever nominated in any of the Grammy jazz categories. Hailed for her story-based songwriting and deeply emotive live performances she has been compared to greats such as Miriam Makeba, Dianne Reeves and Nina Simone. Somi is also a recipient of the 2023 Doris Duke Artist Award, two NAACP Image Awards for Best Vocal Jazz Album, and the inaugural Jazz Music Award for Best Vocal Performance.

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