Somi: the vocalist topping jazz charts
May 12, 2016
Somi was born in Illinois to immigrants from Rwanda and Uganda
The New York based jazz vocalist and songwriter Laura Kabasomi Kakoma who goes by her stage name Somi was in the country for holiday.
The 36-year-old who has over time topped the jazz and world music charts spent most of her time here with family, but also on the side managed to catch up with friends, and the performing arts happening Uganda.
She attended the 2016 Doadoa East African Performing Arts Market, and she loved what she experienced there.
Somi's music, voice and Africanism have been celebrated by various publications like Vogue Magazine, Jazz Times Magazine, The Boston Globe, The Huffington, and more.
She has gone from the bottom to the top gradually; her most recent album the Lagos Music Salon released in 2014 landed her #1 on US Billboard jazz charts; If The Rains Come First album also landed her #2 on Billboard's World Music Chart.
Who is Somi?
Somi was born in Illinois to immigrants from Rwanda and Uganda, the African and Jazz legacies are always crucial to her sound. She is often referred to as a modern-day Miriam Makeba, or Nina Simone blended with the vocal beauty of Dianne Reeves.
She has worked with names like Angelique Kidjo, Common and Ambrose Akinmusire in her The Lagos Music Salon Album; other names include the legendary trumpet player Hugh Masekela, Mos Def, Baaba Maal, John Legend, Billy Childs, Paul Simon, Danilo Perez, Idan Raichel, Jennifer Hudson, and many more.
She is currently working on a new album as well as a jazz opera about the life and legacy of South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba.
Taking it from her fashion sense; Somi is a fun loving lady, who is very bold, strong, and not afraid to dare the world. She enjoys a pop of colour in her wardrobe; she adventures with prints, textures, and volumes of fabrics dotted with flowy elements, and earthy hues.
She enjoys bold statement jewelry over simple laid back looks. Somi loves natural, she celebrates herself, and her roots by staying natural when it comes to hair.
She has grown dreadlocks since she can remember and today her hair is healthy, and long enough for her liking.