Afro Rhythm with JoEL Karabo Elliott

Join us for a powerful afternoon of rhythm, culture, and artistry that resonates deep within the sou with Chinobay and JoEL Karabo Elliott

Part of our Afro Rhythm series produced by Chinobay and White Horse Black Mountain.

JoEL Karabo Elliott
Joel is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, poet-philosopher, artist-educator, musical ecologist and guiding curator of the world music ensemble Roots Grown Deep (with hubs in Southern Africa, Appalachia and Brazil). Joel’s musical life was originally influenced by his training in Western classical and American jazz. While living eleven years in South Africa (2008-2019), he was transformed by the rhythms, tonalities, and fluidity of indigenous life in the rural regions of Limpopo. As time went on, Karabo realized a sound of his own and began calling in an ensemble to support his vision for the integration of sound as medicine, culture, performance and community development. Thus, Roots Grown Deep was born. He has performed and facilitated in 17 countries globally and helps people of all ages to awaken spiritually through discovery of their inner music, voice and boundless identity. JoEL’s live performances draw audiences into a participatory, worldly-cosmic journey of “traveling light healing”, combining deep introspection with poetry and anthemic, dynamic songs which exude his multicultural and multilingual fluency. JoEL lives in Swannanoa, NC where he serves as a musical doula and advisory member of the Emberlight Center for Conscious Living & Dying, He holds an M.A. in Consciousness & Human Potential (MIU), and is pioneering an apprenticeship-based higher education program (or Ecoversity) called The Fellowship of Musical Ecology.

CHINOBAY
For more than two decades, Chinobay has built a remarkable international career as a performer, composer, educator, and cultural ambassador. Rooted in the traditions of East Africa and shaped by experiences across more than 70 countries, his music creates meaningful connections between cultures while remaining deeply personal and authentic. Whether performing with the high-energy Wamu Spirit Band, presenting the intimate solo concert Between Worlds, or leading educational residencies and workshops, Chinobay brings audiences into a shared experience of rhythm, story, and human connection. His work has been presented at major festivals, performing arts centers, museums, universities, and community venues throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond.