Somi: A Soul Baby Is Born
She’s young. She is talented. She’s sassy. She has appeared on The Ananda Lewis Show as “the most talented up-and-coming artists (soul/jazz) in America, and, she is Ugandan! <br>
By Sebidde Kiryowa
She’s young. She is talented. She’s sassy. She has appeared on The Ananda Lewis Show as “the most talented up-and-coming artists (soul/jazz) in America, and, she is Ugandan!
The 26-year-old progressive soul vocalist on May 5, celebrated the release of her independent debut album, Eternal Motive with a live performance at The Blue Note, New York City. The event was presented by The Blue Note’s New Voices in Soul & Jazz Series.
Acoustic soul siren Jeremy James opened the evening’s performance. The Blue Note club is the cradle of jazz and soul black singers in the US.
Her full name is Laura Audrey Kabasomi Akiiki Kakoma. Her father, Dr. Ibulaimu Kakoma, grew up in Miseebe, Mityana, Mubende District. Her mother, Elizabeth Nyarubona Kakoma is a Mutoro but grew up in Bulindi, Hoima. Somi was born in Champaign, Illinois, US. Her father was doing a post-doctoral fellowship in immunology/veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois at the time.â€
Apparently, even hard-to-please music critics think highly of “our†Somi's debut endeavour. Ron Scott of The NY Amsterdam News described Eternal Motive as: “a journey of warm vibrations brewing in soulful passions that tantalise the emotions with the intimacy of a long, soft kiss.â€
In his contention, the powerful album is an 11-song amalgamation of Soul and Jazz influenced songs immediately evoking pure emotion upon. A gifted vocalist Somi has assembled a team of talented and exceptional musicians to compliment her work.
The album is co-produced by guitarist, David “Sampsonic†Sampson who has toured with the late Charles Earland and British soul sensation, Julie Dexter. Lonnie Plaxico, renowned bassist and former musical director for Cassandra Wilson, is featured on the album and the set.
Chris Robinson, having recently shared the stage with Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack, mans the piano and keyboards
And what has Somi got to say?
“The album’s title reflects the movement and momentum of my life’s journey towards my personal vision and destiny.â€
In the past few months of anticipation toward her debut, Somi has been a featured singer/songwriter for the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She has also been invited to perform at this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival and the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre’s Sounds of the City Festival.
While her music is also currently in heavy rotation, Somi continues to participate in the socio-political power of music by performing at events in the New York that pertain to issues from AIDS awareness to African women’s issues.
In May of 2002, Somi performed her original material on Black Entertainment Television BET)’s popular show 106 & Park. In June 2002, she reached greater accolades as she was invited to perform in New York City’s prestigious JVC Jazz Festival.
And who are her musical influences: “My major musical influences range between classical western (I began playing the cello at eight years old). My favourite classical singers are Julie Andrews and Kathleen Battle); to African folk & pop, I have always loved Miriam Makeba, Papa Wemba and my mother (an oncology nurse by profession, but a beautiful voice by nature),†she told The New Vision via email.
“I believe my music is often given labels like “contemporary jazz†or “neo-soul†or “soul-jazzâ€, but rarely is it called African music. I suppose that is because I sing mostly in English, and the chord progressions lie in a jazz vein,†she said.
Somi whose album was released on her own label (Sanaahouse Productions), says she would love to come back home and perform at the Nile Gardens. Meantime it is just tours for her. Ends
She’s young. She is talented. She’s sassy. She has appeared on The Ananda Lewis Show as “the most talented up-and-coming artists (soul/jazz) in America, and, she is Ugandan!
The 26-year-old progressive soul vocalist on May 5, celebrated the release of her independent debut album, Eternal Motive with a live performance at The Blue Note, New York City. The event was presented by The Blue Note’s New Voices in Soul & Jazz Series.
Acoustic soul siren Jeremy James opened the evening’s performance. The Blue Note club is the cradle of jazz and soul black singers in the US.
Her full name is Laura Audrey Kabasomi Akiiki Kakoma. Her father, Dr. Ibulaimu Kakoma, grew up in Miseebe, Mityana, Mubende District. Her mother, Elizabeth Nyarubona Kakoma is a Mutoro but grew up in Bulindi, Hoima. Somi was born in Champaign, Illinois, US. Her father was doing a post-doctoral fellowship in immunology/veterinary medicine at the University of Illinois at the time.â€
Apparently, even hard-to-please music critics think highly of “our†Somi's debut endeavour. Ron Scott of The NY Amsterdam News described Eternal Motive as: “a journey of warm vibrations brewing in soulful passions that tantalise the emotions with the intimacy of a long, soft kiss.â€
In his contention, the powerful album is an 11-song amalgamation of Soul and Jazz influenced songs immediately evoking pure emotion upon. A gifted vocalist Somi has assembled a team of talented and exceptional musicians to compliment her work.
The album is co-produced by guitarist, David “Sampsonic†Sampson who has toured with the late Charles Earland and British soul sensation, Julie Dexter. Lonnie Plaxico, renowned bassist and former musical director for Cassandra Wilson, is featured on the album and the set.
Chris Robinson, having recently shared the stage with Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack, mans the piano and keyboards
And what has Somi got to say?
“The album’s title reflects the movement and momentum of my life’s journey towards my personal vision and destiny.â€
In the past few months of anticipation toward her debut, Somi has been a featured singer/songwriter for the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. She has also been invited to perform at this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival and the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre’s Sounds of the City Festival.
While her music is also currently in heavy rotation, Somi continues to participate in the socio-political power of music by performing at events in the New York that pertain to issues from AIDS awareness to African women’s issues.
In May of 2002, Somi performed her original material on Black Entertainment Television BET)’s popular show 106 & Park. In June 2002, she reached greater accolades as she was invited to perform in New York City’s prestigious JVC Jazz Festival.
And who are her musical influences: “My major musical influences range between classical western (I began playing the cello at eight years old). My favourite classical singers are Julie Andrews and Kathleen Battle); to African folk & pop, I have always loved Miriam Makeba, Papa Wemba and my mother (an oncology nurse by profession, but a beautiful voice by nature),†she told The New Vision via email.
“I believe my music is often given labels like “contemporary jazz†or “neo-soul†or “soul-jazzâ€, but rarely is it called African music. I suppose that is because I sing mostly in English, and the chord progressions lie in a jazz vein,†she said.
Somi whose album was released on her own label (Sanaahouse Productions), says she would love to come back home and perform at the Nile Gardens. Meantime it is just tours for her. Ends