Tue May 7
NALEDI - Past Ella Fitzgerald Competition Finalist
7PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
Naledi Masilo
Submerging audiences in spirited and deeply rooted encounters is how South African born, New York based vocalist, composer and teaching artist, NALEDI, is making her mark in the global music industry. NALEDI's voice roots itself in an exploration of the jazz tradition, storytelling and influences of her African heritage. She speaks and sing in over 7 languages and uses dance and spoken word as a means of her artistic practice. NALEDI's band combines virtuosic performances by young artists from all over the world with original music and storied covers influenced by South African Jazz and Black American Music. Blues Alley will be presenting her in anticipation of her debut EP "BATHO" - set to release in the summer of '24.
Embark on a musical odyssey with NALEDI, South African vocalist, educator, and storyteller, currently based in New York City. Her soulful melodies echo the vibrant tales of her African heritage, weaving through the jazz tradition, storytelling, and a boundless artistic curiosity.
A luminary in her early career, NALEDI earned degrees in International Relations, Sociology, and Jazz Performance from the University of Cape Town and The New England Conservatory of Music. This catapulted her into the spotlight as a standout talent, with accolades including being selected as part of the premier South African Standard Bank National Youth Band and winning the top three positions in the International Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition and National Dolo Coker Jazz Competition. She also secured the Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition.
Mentored by luminaries such as Dominique Eade, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Jason Moran, NALEDI's artistic prowess blossomed. Artistic residencies at the Presidential Kennedy Center and Banff International Jazz and Creative Music workshop underscore her global impact, while her performances at iconic venues like Jazz @ Lincoln Center, The Orbit, Artscape Theater, Grandwest Arena, Jordan Hall, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Trustees Theater, and Museum of African American Art resonate with audiences worldwide.
A force in the Boston jazz scene, NALEDI's collaboration with the Makhanda Big Band and Bill Lowe's Signifyin' Natives attests to her versatility. Her musical theater debut in Somi Kakoma's Dreaming Zenzile, exploring Miriam Makeba's life, garnered acclaim at renowned theaters across the United States, including The Repertory Theater of St Louis, McCarter Theater, Paramount Center, and New York Theater Workshop - earning her her first global nomination as "Best featured actress" in the Audelco Awards.
NALEDI's belief in music as a catalyst for change extends to her role as an educator. With a focus on South African jazz, choral and traditional music, she has enriched the lives of over 15,000 students through workshops and masterclasses, collaborating with Carnegie Hall and the Savannah Music Festival to design curriculum on Township Jazz for schools in Savannah and Chatham County K-2 students.
Her advocacy for women and girls shines through the "Trailblazers" program at the Savannah Music Festival and her foundation, "The Dreaming Girls Arts Foundation."
As the visionary behind a band that unites young virtuosic artists worldwide, NALEDI promises a sonic journey like no other.
7PM / $30 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively.
4. Photography or Recording of any kind is prohibited during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.