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Joe Henderson Lab
A former member of Carolina Chocolate Drops, cellist, banjoist, singer, and guitarist Leyla McCalla embraces American roots music at its most fundamental, with a deep personal connection to the cultural legacy built by the immigrants who settled here over the generations. Lauded as a “musical virtuoso” by NPR, McCalla was born in New York to Haitian parents and spent several formative teenage years in Africa, before returning to the States to study cello performance and eventually settling in New Orleans, where she found a renewed connection to her Haitian heritage.
In her words, “The more I learned about the history of Louisiana, its ties to Haiti and French speaking culture, the more sense of belonging I felt and continue to feel.” McCalla appeared on the Carolina Chocolate Drops’ GRAMMY-nominated 2012 release Leaving Eden and toured extensively with the group before departing to focus on her own work, which began in earnest on 2013’s Vari-Colored Songs, a tribute to Harlem Renaissance icon Langston Hughes that was named album of the year by Songlines magazine and London’s Sunday Times. McCalla returns with music from her new album, a collection of songs of struggle and social consciousness, sung in English, French and Haitian Creole.
McCalla returns with music from her new album, a collection of songs of struggle and social consciousness, sung in English, French and Haitian Creole.
In looking to the past, McCalla isn’t simply reclaiming a style of music. She’s also honoring the struggle and determination that originally kindled it.
Washington Post
In looking to the past, McCalla isn’t simply reclaiming a style of music. She’s also honoring the struggle and determination that originally kindled it.
Washington Post
Watch & Listen
Leyla McCalla
A Day for the Hunter, A Day for the Prey
Leyla McCalla
Mesi Bondye
Leyla McCalla
A Day for the Hunter, A Day for the Prey
Leyla McCalla
Mesi Bondye