Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Listen to Meklit’s “Tizita,” featuring Brandee Younger on harp, from the album 'A Piece of Infinity.' Her original video, directed by Sophiyya Nayar and featuring two flower-headed figures (Ahon Gooptu and Mihika Miranda densley cloaked in living foliage), reflects on the passage of time. "The flower heads are like seeing through a memory itself or through a dream," Meklit describes, "where emotion and sensation are in charge, and we let go of the logic of everyday life."
About the song, Meklit writes:
“‘Tizita’ is one of the most beloved traditional song forms of Ethiopia, expressing passionate longing and nostalgia. There have been so many versions of ‘Tizita,’ and I have been brewing mine for nearly a decade. I nurtured it singing softly to myself while driving, walking, and living life. I knew this album would be the place for my ‘Tizita’ to bloom. Thanks to the brilliant Brandee Younger for bringing the glittering dreaminess of the harp to this much-loved tune.”
Song Credits -
Meklit: vocals
Brandee Younger: harp
Kibrom Birhane: piano
Sam Bevan: bass
Colin Douglas: drums
Marco Peris Coppola: tupan and percussion
Howard Wiley: tenor saxophone
Video Credits -
Sophiyaa Nayar: concept & direction
Mika Hawley: cinematography
Deilis Curiel: floral & production design
Colin Morgan & Brigitte Diaz: floral support
Ariel Beller: production coordinator
Ahon Gooptu: Flowerhead A
Mihika Miranda: Flowerhead B
Lauren Jevnikar: editor
Tague Zachary: visual effects
Max Drenckpohl: colorist
Bridgette Diaz: set deck PA
Purchase/Stream:
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/meklit/a-piece-of-infinity
Bandcamp: meklitsings.bandcamp.com/album/a-piece-of-infinity
All other platforms: orcd.co/meklit-a-piece-of-infinity
A Piece of Infinity, the latest album by Meklit, is an invitation to think, to love, and to groove. Celebrating the rich musical traditions of Ethiopia, the Addis-born, San Francisco based vocalist, songwriter, and composer molds folk tunes from a multitude of communities and cultures throughout Ethiopia into jazz-inflected fantasies imbued with warmth and reverence. At its center is Meklit’s voice, which soars and whispers, intoning strength and devotion in Kambaata, Amharic, Oromo, and English. From songs of longing and love to children's riddles and original compositions, Meklit traverses expansive sonic ground that offers just a glimpse at the infinite complexity of Ethiopian culture. Featuring guest appearances by harpist Brandee Younger and flutist Camille Thurman and recorded at San Francisco’s Women’s Audio Mission.
Meklit: meklitmusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/meklitmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/meklitmusic
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings
Twitter: twitter.com/Folkways
Instagram: instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways
Support our work! Become a Friend of Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/friends-of-folkways
The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.
#Meklit
Listen to Meklit’s “Tizita,” featuring Brandee Younger on harp, from the album 'A Piece of Infinity.' Her original video, directed by Sophiyya Nayar and featuring two flower-headed figures (Ahon Gooptu and Mihika Miranda densley cloaked in living foliage), reflects on the passage of time. "The flower heads are like seeing through a memory itself or through a dream," Meklit describes, "where emotion and sensation are in charge, and we let go of the logic of everyday life."
About the song, Meklit writes:
“‘Tizita’ is one of the most beloved traditional song forms of Ethiopia, expressing passionate longing and nostalgia. There have been so many versions of ‘Tizita,’ and I have been brewing mine for nearly a decade. I nurtured it singing softly to myself while driving, walking, and living life. I knew this album would be the place for my ‘Tizita’ to bloom. Thanks to the brilliant Brandee Younger for bringing the glittering dreaminess of the harp to this much-loved tune.”
Song Credits -
Meklit: vocals
Brandee Younger: harp
Kibrom Birhane: piano
Sam Bevan: bass
Colin Douglas: drums
Marco Peris Coppola: tupan and percussion
Howard Wiley: tenor saxophone
Video Credits -
Sophiyaa Nayar: concept & direction
Mika Hawley: cinematography
Deilis Curiel: floral & production design
Colin Morgan & Brigitte Diaz: floral support
Ariel Beller: production coordinator
Ahon Gooptu: Flowerhead A
Mihika Miranda: Flowerhead B
Lauren Jevnikar: editor
Tague Zachary: visual effects
Max Drenckpohl: colorist
Bridgette Diaz: set deck PA
Purchase/Stream:
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/meklit/a-piece-of-infinity
Bandcamp: meklitsings.bandcamp.com/album/a-piece-of-infinity
All other platforms: orcd.co/meklit-a-piece-of-infinity
A Piece of Infinity, the latest album by Meklit, is an invitation to think, to love, and to groove. Celebrating the rich musical traditions of Ethiopia, the Addis-born, San Francisco based vocalist, songwriter, and composer molds folk tunes from a multitude of communities and cultures throughout Ethiopia into jazz-inflected fantasies imbued with warmth and reverence. At its center is Meklit’s voice, which soars and whispers, intoning strength and devotion in Kambaata, Amharic, Oromo, and English. From songs of longing and love to children's riddles and original compositions, Meklit traverses expansive sonic ground that offers just a glimpse at the infinite complexity of Ethiopian culture. Featuring guest appearances by harpist Brandee Younger and flutist Camille Thurman and recorded at San Francisco’s Women’s Audio Mission.
Meklit: meklitmusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/meklitmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/meklitmusic
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu
Facebook: facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings
Twitter: twitter.com/Folkways
Instagram: instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways
Support our work! Become a Friend of Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/friends-of-folkways
The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.
#Meklit
![Kronos Quartet - God Shall Wipe All Tears Away [Official Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sk-t6YEwwmI/mqdefault.jpg "Kronos Quartet - God Shall Wipe All Tears Away [Official Audio]
Originally composed by Antonio Haskell in 1935 with a new arrangement by Jacob Garchik, Kronos Quartets God Shall Wipe All Tears Away from their album Glorious Mahalia treats Mahalia Jacksons original recording of the song as a score for their vibrant, sonorous adaptation. The biggest challenge, lead violinist and Kronos Quartet founder David Harrington writes, was getting the emotional message of the voice.”
The album liner notes expand on the pieces context:
When Mahalia Jackson first recorded “God Shall Wipe All Tears Away” in 1937, she was relatively unknown, an aspiring artist who had migrated ten years earlier to Chicago from her New Orleans birthplace. The song—based on Revelation 21:4 in the King James Bible: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”—was composed in 1935 by New Orleans native Antonio Haskell. The 25-year-old Jackson recorded her seminal version for the Decca Coral label on May 21, 1937, along with “God’s Gonna Separate the Wheat from the Tares,” “My Lord,” and “Keep Me Everyday.”
David Harrington - violin
John Sherba - violin
Hank Dutt - viola
Sunny Yang - cello
Purchase/Stream:
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/kronos-quartet/glorious-mahalia
Bandcamp: https://kronosquartet.bandcamp.com/album/glorious-mahalia
All other platforms: https://orcd.co/kronos-quartet-glorious-mahalia
Midway through Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech at the 1963 March on Washington, a voice rang out from behind him: “Tell them about the dream, Martin!” That voice belonged to Mahalia Jackson, King’s close friend and one of the most revered gospel singers of the 20th century. Glorious Mahalia, a visionary tribute to Jackson’s life by the internationally renowned Kronos Quartet, uses that moment as a springboard to explore the depth of Jackson’s musical craft and its impact on the Civil Rights Movement, including her relationship with Clarence Jones and Studs Terkel, other luminaries of the time. Featuring compositions by Stacy Garrop and Zachary James Watkins, a new arrangement of Jackson’s astonishing version of the Antonio Haskell composition “God Shall Wipe All Tears Away,” and archival audio of Jacksons voice, the album illuminates Jacksons historic artistry and advocacy.
Kronos Quartet: https://kronosquartet.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kronosquartet/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kronos_quartet/
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Folkways
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways
Support our work! Become a Friend of Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/friends-of-folkways
The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.
#KronosQuartet #MahaliaJackson")
![Kronos Quartet - Peace Be Till: IV. Symphony of Social Justice [Official Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TAdIFIwepvs/mqdefault.jpg "Kronos Quartet - Peace Be Till: IV. Symphony of Social Justice [Official Audio]
Composed by Zachary James Watkins, Kronos Quartets Peace Be Till: IV. Symphony of Social Justice from their album Glorious Mahalia features an original interview with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s lawyer and speechwriter Dr. Clarence B. Jones. Jones discusses the struggle for freedom and equity alongside Kings famous Letter from Birmingham Jail, which he calls a symphony of social justice.
About the piece, Watkins writes:
Peace Be Till is about the legacy of America’s civil rights movement, the important role artists play in critical social justice movements, and the necessary dreams today. As an American born in 1980 of mixed-race African and European American heritage, in a family that believed that we are one and that America is capable of embracing diversity, I feel that I am a direct result of this struggle. From day one I have experienced racialized America. Times are still tough. This piece pays homage to the artist’s instinct to inspire and activate, as well as the desire to explore the nature of things. In my case, I am fascinated by the physics and phenomenal power of sound.
Clarence B. Jones - vocals
David Harrington - violin
John Sherba - violin
Hank Dutt - viola
Sunny Yang - cello
Purchase/Stream:
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/kronos-quartet/glorious-mahalia
Bandcamp: https://kronosquartet.bandcamp.com/album/glorious-mahalia
All other platforms: https://orcd.co/kronos-quartet-glorious-mahalia
Midway through Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic speech at the 1963 March on Washington, a voice rang out from behind him: “Tell them about the dream, Martin!” That voice belonged to Mahalia Jackson, King’s close friend and one of the most revered gospel singers of the 20th century. Glorious Mahalia, a visionary tribute to Jackson’s life by the internationally renowned Kronos Quartet, uses that moment as a springboard to explore the depth of Jackson’s musical craft and its impact on the Civil Rights Movement, including her relationship with Clarence Jones and Studs Terkel, other luminaries of the time. Featuring compositions by Stacy Garrop and Zachary James Watkins, a new arrangement of Jackson’s astonishing version of the Antonio Haskell composition “God Shall Wipe All Tears Away,” and archival audio of Jacksons voice, the album illuminates Jacksons historic artistry and advocacy.
Kronos Quartet: https://kronosquartet.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kronosquartet/
#kronosquartet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kronos_quartet/
Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithsonianfolkwaysrecordings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Folkways
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithsonianfolkways
Support our work! Become a Friend of Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/friends-of-folkways
The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.
#KronosQuartet #MahaliaJackson")
