12 musicians. 10 countries. 1 concert. The Movement Immigrant Orchestra is a 90 minute constellation of immigrant musicians in a collaborative experiment of creation, curiosity, truth-telling and joy. Experience Ethio-jazz, next to Mexican ranchera, Malian folk intertwined with Indian classical rhythms and more!
Co-founded by Ethiopian-American singer-composer Meklit Hadero, Movement Immigrant Orchestra is a multi-platform storytelling initiative that explores the dynamic intersection of migration and music. Movement centers the voices, stories and songs of immigrant, migrant and refugee musicians, claiming public space for these artists to sing and speak their stories with complexity and nuance. Since debuting in 2020 as a nationally syndicated public radio broadcast on PRX’s The World, where its segments regularly air to 2.5 million listeners, Movement has expanded to include a podcast and stage production, and the Movement Immigrant Orchestra is the most ambitious manifestation. The program includes Mexican singer/songwriter Diana Gameros, Iranian composer Sahba Aminikia, Italian percussionist extraordinaire Marco Peris, Malian virtuoso Mamdou Sidibe, Carnatic percussionist Rohan Krishnamurthy, Barrio Manouche guitarist Javi Jimenez, Iranian-American bassist/composer Safa Shokrai and Meklit herself.