Africa’s jazz diva Somi nominated for Grammy

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Born Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, her latest offering “Holy Room” got a nod in the Grammys Best Jazz Vocal Album category, making her the first African woman to be nominated in any of the jazz categories and the first African artist to be nominated for a jazz vocal performance.
Released under her own record label Salon Africana, “Holy Room” was recorded in an 18th-century opera house during a live concert in May 2019 and it features Frankfurt Radio Big Band.
Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the announcement was made virtually in November and Somi says she was “overwhelmed with emotion” when her name was called.
“I feel very fortunate to have been able to share that exact moment with my family,” she shared.
The award-winning vocalist says the nomination makes her, as a Black woman, feel acknowledged.
“As a Black woman it makes me feel seen by my colleagues and it reminds me that the journey is never in vain,” Somi said.
She added: “I use the word “Black” instead of “African-American” here because the latter is an identity informed by a very specific experience in the US.
“One that I honour, love, and connect with deeply but would never fully claim simply because of my own heritage and upbringing as a child of immigrants.”
Commenting on the inspiration behind the “Holy Room”, Somi explained: “The album is the result of a performance I did in Germany last year as a guest of the Frankfurt Radio Big Band that was recorded for national broadcast.
“Thankfully, in a time when touring had ceased, I had that recording on hand and decided to release it.
“The music on the recording is mostly from my last two albums – ‘Petite Afrique’, which was about the African immigrant experience in the U.S., and “The Lagos Music Salon’, which was inspired by my time living in Nigeria.
“The difference with this album, however, is that it offers a glimpse into the rigour and range of live performance.
It is also an archive of the wonderful opportunity I had to frame my older songs in the grandeur of big band orchestral arrangements by the brilliant John Beasley, who conducted the concert as well.”— iolnews.com

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snobb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site Admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Vilnius Status: Offline Points: 28449	Post Options Post Reply Quote snobb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Africa’s jazz diva Somi nominated for Grammy Posted: 16 Dec 2020 at 9:42am
	Born Laura Kabasomi Kakoma, her latest offering “Holy Room” got a nod in the Grammys Best Jazz Vocal Album category, making her the first African woman to be nominated in any of the jazz categories and the first African artist to be nominated for a jazz vocal performance. Released under her own record label Salon Africana, “Holy Room” was recorded in an 18th-century opera house during a live concert in May 2019 and it features Frankfurt Radio Big Band. Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the announcement was made virtually in November and Somi says she was “overwhelmed with emotion” when her name was called. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to share that exact moment with my family,” she shared. The award-winning vocalist says the nomination makes her, as a Black woman, feel acknowledged. “As a Black woman it makes me feel seen by my colleagues and it reminds me that the journey is never in vain,” Somi said. She added: “I use the word “Black” instead of “African-American” here because the latter is an identity informed by a very specific experience in the US. “One that I honour, love, and connect with deeply but would never fully claim simply because of my own heritage and upbringing as a child of immigrants.” Commenting on the inspiration behind the “Holy Room”, Somi explained: “The album is the result of a performance I did in Germany last year as a guest of the Frankfurt Radio Big Band that was recorded for national broadcast. “Thankfully, in a time when touring had ceased, I had that recording on hand and decided to release it. “The music on the recording is mostly from my last two albums – ‘Petite Afrique’, which was about the African immigrant experience in the U.S., and “The Lagos Music Salon’, which was inspired by my time living in Nigeria. “The difference with this album, however, is that it offers a glimpse into the rigour and range of live performance. It is also an archive of the wonderful opportunity I had to frame my older songs in the grandeur of big band orchestral arrangements by the brilliant John Beasley, who conducted the concert as well.”— iolnews.com