OkCello
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Okorie Johnson is an American cellist-songwriter who performs under the moniker OkCello. His artistry integrates cello performance, live-sound-looping, improvisation, and storytelling - all culminating in original compositions that collide classical with jazz, EDM, reggae, and funk.
OkCello is inspired by the exploration of African Diasporic melodies and narratives and their intersection with people’s perceptions and assumptions about the classical and European nature of the cello. As well, his work with improvisation attempts to embody the phenomenon of wordless prayer.
Over his career, Okorie has had the opportunity to perform and/or record with India.Arie, De La Soul, and Big Boi of OutKast, amongst many others.
Okorie describes his circuitous route to this unusual solo cello career in the following quote: “After years of putting my cello down and picking it back up, after years of deciding that the cello wasn’t financially practical, after years of thinking that my other voices were my native ones, I realized that the cello was the oldest, the most central and the most sacred part of me. I resolved never, ever, to deny it again.”
Event Supported By
Museum of Making Music
Founded in 1998, the Museum of Making Music explores the multifaceted history of the American music products industry from its beginnings in the 1890s to today. Housed at NAMM Headquarters in Carlsbad, California (north San Diego county), the Museum tells stories of hard work, challenge, inspiration and pioneering innovation, and reveals the profound relationship between the industry, popular music, and global culture. The Museum serves as a resource for the community of NAMM members through the preservation, interpretation and sharing of the industry’s collective history in a public museum context. In addition, it reveals the unique and often unknown story of the music products industry to the general public. Through intimate concerts, films, discussions, hands-on workshops, volunteer opportunities and programs for youth, the Museum opens doors to enable people of all ages and walks of life to find their way into the richly kaleidoscopic world of music making. Hours The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Mondays and on major U.S. holidays, including: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Features The Museum's Interactive Area. The interactive area is where visitors have the chance to make their own music. It includes a variety of hands-on instruments that represent both the latest innovations and lasting traditions in musical instruments. Most interactive instruments come equipped with a pair of headphones so that guests can discover instruments and play privately. Exhibitions. The Museum regularly curates special exhibitions that help tell the story of instrument innovations and the music products industry. These special exhibitions help enhance the normal display artifacts and provide glimpses at unique pieces of history. These exhibitions usually only are viewable for a limited time. Due to their temporary nature, we have taken the initiative to begin cataloging these exhibitions in greater visual (and sometimes aural) detail so that we may present them to you in the virtually limitless expanse of the internet. Admission General Admission: $10 Seniors (60+), students (4-18), & active military (w/ID): $7 Museum members & children 3 and under: Free
