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Following her magical appearances during the 2022-23 Season, GRAMMY-winning bassist, singer, and songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello brings her latest project to the Miner stage, No More Water/The Fire Next Time: The Gospel of James Baldwin, music from her new Blue Note album inspired by the iconic essayist, novelist, and activist in recognition of what would have been his 100th birthday.

The Berlin-born Ndegeocello cut her teeth on Washington D.C.’s explosive go-go circuit in the 1980s and was one of the first artists signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records label, which released her landmark neo soul album Plantation Lullabies in 1993.

A GRAMMY winner and 11-time nominee, Ndegeocello built a career as an uncompromising artist whose deliriously funky and soulful work is a powerful commentary on race, gender issues, and LGBTQ+ rights.

She’s released 13 albums as a leader and has amassed a distinguished list of collaborators including Jason Moran, Herbie Hancock, Robert Glasper, John Mellencamp, Madonna, Pat Metheny, Marcus Miller, Terence Blanchard, and The Blind Boys of Alabama.

No More Water/The Fire Next Time has its roots in Ndegeocello’s 2016 commission by the Harlem Stage’s WaterWorks program. In her words, “Baldwin speaks about things that are very familiar within the human condition, and the most revolutionary music to me — the music that changed my life — is the songs about the inner struggle, the commonality of being human.”

Setlist
Theme for Malcolm Donald Brown
Dolphin Dance Herbie Hancock
Elevation Ely Perlman
More Is Savannah Harris
Familiar Steps Christian McBride
A Morning Story Christian McBride
Brouhaha Christian McBride
Blues For Mel Nicole Glover

Personnel
Christian McBride bass
Nicole Glover tenor saxophone
Ely Perlman guitar
Mike King piano
Savannah Harris drums