Genre-mashing cellist comes to Merced

  • 2025-01-21
The musical performer OkCello is coming to the Merced Theatre.

Okorie Johnson, better known by his stage name OkCello, is known for combining elements of classical cello music with modern sensibilities. The Atlanta-based artists draws on classical music, jazz music, improvisation, storytelling and live sound looping.

OkCello has released three albums so far: Liminal, Resolve and Beacon. He also released a Christmas EP called An Ok Christmas. He has worked with artists such as Big Boi from Outkast, De La Soul and India.Arie.

Some of the genres OkCello works in — and often in original compositions — include not only jazz and classical but electronic dance music, reggae and funk, too.

Starting out as a musical educator, OkCello launched a series of live shows in 2015, spanning multiple cities. The result of this tour, called “Epi.phony,” would lead to the tracks of his debut album, Liminal.

On the national stage, OkCello has appeared on the Tmaron Hall Show and was a residency artist at The Kennedy Center. He was also the subject of a documentary film called Imperfect Alibi.

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OkCello performs on Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. at the Merced Theatre on 301 W Main St. General admission tickets are $15 and high school and college students can attend for free with a student ID.