Mercy Myra

Friday, October 30th

Mercy Myra and the Rhythm Jets

Definitely born to sing, Mercy Myra is lauded as Kenya’s leading female R&B artist, often viewed as a female pioneer in the Kenyan music scene. She made her mark in the industry with a string of hits from two successful CD releases: Taba Samu (2001) and Nyisri Malong’o (2003). Favorites like “I’m Gonna Fly”, “Maneno”, “Life”, “Imagine” and “Tie Dero” topped the African music charts. International performances, tours and guest appearances came next, as well as numerous awards and accolades. She feels very close to her newest single, “Back Home”, which touches on the subject of missing her native Kenya. Its grounded yet airy percussions, as well as a subtle bass line allow the song to have a natural feel, as if evoking the four elements of nature: water, air, fire and earth. This, combined with Mercy’s layering of Swahili over English lyrics, conveys to her listeners a true musical journey back home to where it all started.

Watch Mercy Myra and The Rhythm Jets perform HERE:

Although her music is often categorized as R&B, Mercy prefers to refer to her style as “Afro-Fusion”, combining the African world with the Western world. She has the ability to easily lace together lyrics in English, Swahili and Luo (her native dialect), as well as French and Dutch. These are often interwoven with African, Jazz, Pop, Spanish and Hip-Hop rhythms. “Music is an international language…I don’t have to understand all the words,” she says. Mercy channels her life experiences into her singing. Her sound is at times powerful yet playful, sultry yet calming, commanding yet hauntingly beautiful. Her musical influences include African queens such as Miriam Makeba, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Angelique Kidjo, to European and American artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Millie Jackson, Luther Vandross, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Sade and India Arie.

Mercy has recently partnered with the Rhythm Jets, an Atlanta based band whose members have worked and performed with a plethora of stars including Earl Klugh, Boyz II Men, Bob James, Stewart Copeland, Susan Tedeschi, Jeff Beck, Chuck Mangione plus movie credits in “A Joyful Noise” and “What to Expect When you are Expecting”. Prominent performances also include World Series and headlining in Vegas plus countless recording sessions. The Rhythm Jets’ debut album “Sound Barrier” was released in 2014 to rave reviews. The album was Top 10 on the Most Added list plus Top 10 on the Most Added Spins. The band includes Vance Kelly, John Carrozza, Joseph Patrick Moore, Steve Cunningham, Wayne Viar and Nico Gutierrez.

Showtimes:  7:30pm and 9:30pm.    Admission:  $22.