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Updated 3/7/2022

Zili Misik

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Performing Group

Zili Misik is all-female and has been performing New World Soul, roots music of the African Diaspora, nationally & internationally, for over two decades. Zili bridges cultures, generations, and continents with captivating sounds that retrace routes of forced exile and cultural resistance through diasporic rhythm and song. Reconnecting Haitian mizik rasin, Jamaican roots reggae, Afro-Brazilian samba, Afro-Cuban son, West African highlife, and African American spirituals, blues, jazz and neo soul, zili honors its influences while creating a sound that is uniquely its own. The women of this group trace their roots to 5 countries and 3 continents, and have been bridging cultures, generations, and continents for over a decade. Zili's all age appropriate programs include high-energy interactive performances, workshops, lecture/demonstrations, parties, weddings, and private events. When performing as a full ensemble, Zili is a 5-10 piece group; Zili also offers a smaller workshop trio, Kalfou (Crossroads), which focuses on African diasporic drum and dance through sibling cultures in the African Diaspora.

Find Me

Kera Washington (she/her)
Job Title: Founder/Band Leader
Phone: 617-821-6577
Address:
Dorchester, MA 02124

Social Media:

Additional Content:

  • "Nou Rive"

    video clip of our arrangement of "Nou Rive"; video provided by Marc Anthony

  • CD Zee'lee Mee'seek

    Here are samples from our 2nd CD, Zee'lee Mee'seek

  • Current Tracks!

    Here are samples old, and new, including tracks from our latest CD, "Cross Roads"

  • "Faareyah" Aug 2011

    Here is Zili Misik in action at ZUMIX -- one of the organizations that annually supports us with a spot in our of their concert series.

  • "Praia"

    One of Zili's original songs, "Praia," takes us through the waters that unite the continents. This version was performed in Oct 2011 and Berklee College of Music's Showcase at Brighton Music Hall, MA

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2000

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Performing Group

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2000

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Music - Ethnic / World

Activities and Services

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults
  • Businesses
  • Elders
  • Families
  • General Public
  • Immigrant Populations
  • Incarcerated (or Formerly Incarcerated) individuals
  • LGBTQ Populations
  • Native American Tribes
  • Nonprofits
  • People with Disabilities
  • School Groups
  • Teens
  • Veteran/Active Duty Military Personnel
  • Youth-At-Risk

Languages Available:

  • Creole
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State
  • Multi-State Region
  • National
  • International

Media Gallery

I Have Worked With

Affiliations and Accomplishments

Awards

Awards:

  • A Boston Music Award for Outstanding International Music. Zili was proclaimed Boston's Best World Music 2008 & 2009. Zili received a Commendation from the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2010.

Awards

Awards:

  • A Boston Music Award for Outstanding International Music. Zili was proclaimed Boston's Best World Music 2008 & 2009. Zili received a Commendation from the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2010.

Special Designations

Special Designations:

  • NEFA Grant Recipient

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Music

Certifications and Training:

  • M.A. World Music
  • Holds K-12 Teaching License in MA

Fee range:

$2,500 - $10,000

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Afterschool Program
  • Arts and Cultural Center / Venue
  • Community Site / Center
  • Private Studio
  • School / University

Ages Served:

  • Pre-Kindergarten-age
  • Elementary School-age
  • Middle School-age
  • High School-age
  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors

Subject Areas:

  • Arts Integration - History and Social Science
  • Music

Certifications and Training:

  • M.A. World Music
  • Holds K-12 Teaching License in MA

Fee range:

$2,500 - $10,000

Touring Artist

NEST Eligible Artist

Technical Requirements:

  • Available upon request.

Fee Range:

$3,500 - $5,500

State of Residence:

Massachusetts

Minimum Number of Performers:

7

Maximum Number of Performers:

10