Maritri and The Soul Folk Experience

Artist Description

Jeni called, Maritri answered and the Universe takes care of the rest... Ganessa James is what time it is. David Pilgrim brings Bill Withers to Brooklyn. Shelley Nicole defines funky diva. Jeff Smith is to The Soulfolk what Elmers is to Glue. Annekei gives you chills while Carla makes you wanna be a rock star. Jeni Fujita says "yes we can" And Maritri makes sure "we do"... All together we bring you The Soulfolk Experience. 

Maritri taught herself to play guitar last year and a second later was performing on stage. She picked up the cello in the summer of 2005 and in six months’ time, made her debut as a cellist at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

Few singers talk about stories of love, life, and loss the way Maritri can. Her poignant, bittersweet lyrics, tells “grown folks stories” in a poignant way that will break you down to the core. Maritri was destined to share her gift of music with the world. As a two-year-old in Southern California, Maritri developed her love of music when she began playing the piano under the loving and watchful eyes of her parents. Even then, it was clear that she was something special.

In 2002, Maritri made her classical piano debut at Steinway Hall in New York. She was subsequently commissioned, along with cellist Shana Tucker to compose music for two ballets at the Washington Ballet under the direction of Mary Day at the Kennedy Center and at the Witts Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa. Maritri has opened for Gladys Knight, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Stanley Jordan, Toshi Reagon, Hiram Bullock, Muzz Skillins, Vinx and the Indigo Girls with her band Hue; appeared on BET on Jazz as a musician and host, performed at Nina Simone’s family memorial with Patti LaBelle, Nina Simone, Valerie Simpson, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. Maritri was also chosen as one of the background singers for Barbara Streisand at the Clinton inaugural gala.

Maritri’s TV credits include BET on Jazz and BCAT’s Straight Up! With Stella Winston. Her recent performances include Def Poetry Plugged In at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, hosted by Danny Simmons; the Apollo Theater with Sekou Sundiata and Ani Di Franco, the Cutting Room, Central Park's Summerstage, the Women's Jazz Festival at the Schomberg Center with Tamar Kali, Borders Books, Bar Sputnik, 4W Circle, New York City’s Triad Theatre, the 92nd Street Y-Makor/Steinhart Center, the New School and Aaron Davis Hall with Sekou Sundiata as part of “The America Project,” Rush Arts Gallery, The Knitting Factory, BRIC Studios, Riverbank State Park, Joe's Pub, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar, BAM Café’.