Concert Photos: Meshell Ndegeocello Warmed Up the Agora on a Cold Cleveland Night

Meshell Ndegeocello played the Agora last night for the 300-or-so souls that braved both bone-chilling cold and icy Euclid Avenue sidewalks.

Ndegeocello released an album last August entitled No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin. The concept album, made as a tribute to African-American writers such as Baldwin and Audre Lorde, was, in part, a response to the lack of American educators teaching students about the vibrant writings of many Black writers who have, in many cases, been cast aside in American literature or history classes.

Accompanying bassist/backup vocalist Ndegeocello on this tour stop were singer Justin Hicks doing the primary vocals, Kiwi Ave Rounds behind the kit, Jake Sherman on keys, and Chris Bruce on guitar.

The 80-minute show was warmed up by Jake and Abe, a duet whose harmonies were spectacular. The Afro-beat bongo-driven rhythms fit in well with Ndegeocello’s tunes, as Jake and Abe were two of the members of her outfit as well.