Join Meklit as she celebrates the release of her latest full length record A Piece of Infinity on Smithsonian Folkways. 

A Piece of Infinity, the latest album by Meklit, is an invitation to think, to love, and to groove. Celebrating the rich musical traditions of Ethiopia, the Addis-born, San Francisco based vocalist, songwriter, and composer molds folk tunes from a multitude of communities and cultures throughout Ethiopia into jazz-inflected fantasies imbued with warmth and reverence. At its center is Meklit’s voice, which soars and whispers, intoning strength and devotion in multiple languages. From songs of longing and love to children's riddles and original compositions, Meklit traverses expansive sonic ground that offers just a glimpse at the infinite complexity of Ethiopian culture. Featuring guest appearances by harpist Brandee Younger and flutist Camille Thurman and recorded at San Francisco’s Women’s Audio Mission.

Meklit is an Ethiopian-American vocalist, songwriter, composer, known for her electric stage presence, innovative Ethio-jazz sound and vibrant cultural strategy. Her performances have taken her to stages across the globe, and to the top of world music charts across the US, Europe, and Ethiopia. She is a visiting artist at Stanford University, a National Geographic Explorer, a TED Senior Fellow, a Taproot Fellow, and the winner of the globalFEST Artist Award. Meklit is the co-founder, host and co-producer of "Movement," a podcast, radio show, live performance series and community building initiative uplifting the songs and stories of immigrant musicians, broadcasting monthly on PRX’s The World to 2.5 million listeners.

 

Meklit has collaborated with world renowned artists Wangechi Mutu, Kronos Quartet, Andrew Bird, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the late musical legend Pee Wee Ellis, and NASA’s Jon Jenkins. She has been commissioned to create new works by Lincoln Center, MAP Fund, Creative Work Fund and many more. She is the former Chief of Program at YBCA. She has been an artist in residence at Harvard, a featured voice in UN Women’s theme song, and the co-founder of the Nile Project. Meklit’s work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, CNN, NPR, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Vibe Magazine, and many more.

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WITH AUGUST LEE STEVENS

August Lee Stevens is a Bay Area-based artist whose sound merges the lyrical rawness and simplicity of folk songs with lush melodies and powerhouse vocals. Her latest track "Tell Me" is an urgent plea to speak out and not look away when the world seems to be falling apart. In the last year, August has supported artists ranging from 2024 Tiny Desk winner Philharmonik to Motown legend Smokey Robinson, and she recently performed at LaRussell's self-curated festival. In addition to her rapidly rising solo career, she recently performed at the Kennedy Center and supported Rhiannon Giddens at the Mountain Winery as part of the emerging artist collective Oakland Rising, which made its debut at last year's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. Her 2024 debut EP Better Places received critical acclaim, and she is currently working on her next project, slated for release in 2026.