Photo by Sol Washington, Artwork by Thomas Houseago
Today, visionary North African, LA-based singer-songwriter Ami Taf Ra joins Brainfeeder as the radically imaginative label’s newest act. Heralded for her seamless fusion of Arabic musical traditions like Moroccan gnawa with jazz and gospel, Ami Taf Ra celebrates the announcement with the release of new single “Speak To Us (Outro)”, produced by legendary saxophonist composer and frequent collaborator Kamasi Washington. The single comes with a sweeping and cinematic video that amplifies its emotional depth, with glimpses of characters gazing in slow motion turning the mundane into something profound. Listen to “Speak To Us (Outro)” HERE and watch the official music video HERE.
A nexus for experimental sound, Brainfeeder is an apt home for Ami Taf Ra’s artistry, rooted in boundary-pushing cultural fusion and a rich legacy of iconic Arabic vocalists like Abdel Halim Hafez, Umm Kulthum, Warda, Asmahan, and Fairuz. Kamasi’s musical contribution infuses a rich lineage of spiritual jazz, afrocentric philosophy, and orchestral grandiosity. Ami Taf Ra says the new single “reminds us that the search for enlightenment is a lifelong journey; it does end, it just grows deeper as the light of life shines brighter.” She adds, “I am super excited to join the Brainfeeder family and to join the legacy of great artists that they released over the years. Now, I’m looking forward to the future.”
Over the course of her career, Ami Taf Ra has graced stages worldwide, captivating audiences in Denmark, Turkey, Morocco, Belgium, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan. She has performed at esteemed festivals like the South East Jazz Festival and the Haarlem Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, as well as with the Dutch Royal Metropole Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall (Concertgebouw) and the Dutch Blazers Ensemble. Ami has toured extensively with Kamasi Washington, performing together at notable venues and festivals across the United States including City Winery in Boston, the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, and the Just Jazz Concert Series at Mr Musichead Gallery in Los Angeles. She has also performed with a diverse array of musicians, including trombonist Ryan Porter, saxophonist Rickey Washington, percussionist Kahlil Cummings, bassist Ben Williams, drummer Jonathan Pinson, and pianist Jamael Dean. This fall, Ami Taf Ra will embark on a North American headline tour kicking off September 22 at the renowned Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. For more information and tickets, visit https://amitafra.com/#tour.
Ami Taf Ra’s deep commitment to music as a tool for connection and healing has taken her beyond the stage and into communities impacted by displacement and conflict. In conjunction with a group of Dutch musicians, she led creative workshops for children, using music and painting to spark expression. The experience culminated in a collaborative performance that brought together the children, the musicians, and Ami Taf Ra as the opening act of the Amman Jazz Festival in 2014.
Today, Ami Taf Ra continues to explore the fusion of cultures through music, crafting a sound that honors her heritage while embracing new influences through different languages and nationalities. With every performance, she strives to connect people, stories, and traditions across borders. Ami Taf Ra's work stands as a testament to the power of cultural fusion in music, bridging continents and traditions to create a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. | 
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