Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell Ndegeocello is a bass player above all else. A bass player who is also a vocalist, a poet, … and as such an important force in shaping the American (pop) musical scene. She is an uncategorizable artist of total assurance and great dexterity who excels at everything from soul, funk, R&B, hip-hop, rock and, of course, jazz. By no means a newcomer to the music scene, Ndegeocello started out on her career in the 1980s, and collaborated with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Madonna in the 1990s. Her latest project, scheduled for our opening event at Ljubljana’s Križanke theatre, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, is an in-depth tribute to James Baldwin, marking the centennial of the birth of this poetically outspoken critic of systemic racism, author of iconic quotes and a universal guiding light.

Ndegeocello won back-to-back Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Jazz Album (2024–25).