Grammy-nominated artist Somi performs four shows across two nights at The JazzLab this February, presented by Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist and composer Somi is heading to Melbourne for an intimate residency this summer. The US chart-topping artist performs four shows across two nights at The JazzLab in February, with Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
Born and raised in Illinois to Rwandan and Ugandan parents, Somi now calls New York home. She draws on her African heritage and American roots to blend east African folk with New York’s improvisational spirit, crafting a sound that’s deeply personal yet globally resonant. Her approach redefines jazz for a new generation, earning her recognition as a virtuosic performer in full command of her instrument and power.
Closely mentored by legendary musician Hugh Masekela, Somi has carved out her own path as an artist, scholar and activist. In 2021, she became the first African woman ever nominated for a Grammy in any jazz category with her album Holy Room – Live at Alte Oper with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. That same album won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Vocal Album.
Somi – Melbourne International Jazz Festival
- Monday 17 February 2026, 7pm & 9.30pm, The JazzLab, Melbourne
- Tuesday 18 February 2026, 7pm & 9.30pm, The JazzLab, Melbourne
- Tickets: here
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Her 2022 studio album Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba pays tribute to the groundbreaking South African singer and activist who turned 31 years of political exile during the apartheid era into a career of global triumph. That album received the inaugural Jazz Music Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance and accompanied her award-winning off-Broadway production Dreaming Zenzile, which she wrote and starred in.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival continues bringing exceptional jazz voices to the city between major festival editions. Following a standout 2025 festival that welcomed international stars including Harry Connick Jr, Gregory Porter, Samara Joy and Hiromi, this special residency gives jazz fans a chance to experience world-class performances before the festival returns for its 28th edition in October 2026.
Melbourne International Jazz Festival stands as Australia’s leading platform for jazz and improvised music, internationally recognised as one of the world’s great jazz festivals. These intimate performances at The JazzLab offer audiences a rare opportunity to experience Somi’s expressive and transcendent artistry up close.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday 4 December at 11am.
For more information, head here.
