BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE

Nicole Mitchell’s BLACK EARTH ENSEMBLE (BEE) is a musical celebration of the African American cultural legacy and Black experimental art. Founded and directed in 1998 by creative flutist/composer Nicole Mitchell, BEE has performed in festivals and art venues throughout Europe, the U.S., and in South Africa. BEE’s music embraces the ancient past and paints visions of a positive future. The music is the weaving of swing, blues, avante-garde jazz, bebop, African rhythms, Eastern modes and Western classical sounds. The name “Black Earth” was chosen to honor the feminine source that our lives depend on—Mother Earth and humanity’s mother—Mama Afrika. The purpose of Black Earth Ensemble is to inspire the human spirit with thought-provoking beauty while in conversation with the challenges of today’s world. As a woman-directed, co-ed, multi-generational group, it touches a range of energetic spaces rarely expressed in a “jazz” setting. Black Earth's message is intended for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Portraits of Sonic Freedom; Guggenheim project; Premiered Unity Church, Charlottesville, 2025; Vision Festival, New York, 2025.

Radical Transformation: For Angela Davis; Commissioned by Chicago Humanities Festival; Premiered at Hermann Hall, IIT, Chicago 2025.

Bamako Chicago Sound System w Ballake Sissoko; 2nd Commission Works by Hyde Park Jazz Festival; Premiered at Hyde Park Jazz Festival Chicago 2017; Published FPE, Chicago 2024.

EarthSeed w Lisa E. Harris; Commissioned by Art Institute of Chicago, Premiered at Art Institute of Chicago 2017; Published FPE Chicago 2020.

Art and Anthem: Gwendolyn Brooks. Co-commissioned by University of Chicago’s Logan Center, Third World Press and the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Premiered at Logan Art Center 2017; Performed at Winter Jazz Fest, New York 2018.

Spider Web w Josh Kun; Commissioned by Clockshop. Premiered at Clockshop, Los Angeles 2019; Performed at Jefferson School/University of Virginia Charlottesville 2025.

Maroon Cloud; Commissioned by John Zorn Stone Series, Premiered National Sawdust, New York 2018; Published FPE Chicago 2018.

Mandorla Awakening II; Commissioned by the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art; Premiered Chicago MCA 2015; Published FPE Chicago 2017

Black Beyond: Nicole Mitchell and Ballake Sissoko; Commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture, Premiered at Royaumont, France 2014; Performed at Pôle Sud, Strausburg 2015;

Liberation Narratives w Haki R. Madhubuti; Commissioned by Jazz Institute of Chicago; Premiered La Follette Park, Chicago 2014; Published Black Earth Music, Third World Press Chicago 2017.

JAD: Life to the Fullest; Premiered Walker West Academy, Minneapolis 2015; Performed at Roulette, New York 2025.

JBM: Images Beyond; Premiered Studio 914, Chicago 2013; Performed at Disney’s RedCat Theater, Los Angeles 2023.

Intergalactic Beings; Commissioned by Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art; Premiered MCA Chicago 2010; Published FPE Chicago 2012.

Alpine Forest Suite featuring Ballake Sissoko; Commissioned by Manzoni Theater, Milan; Premiered at Manzoni Theater 2013.

Xenogenesis Suite: For Octavia Butler; Commissioned by Chamber Music America; Premiered at Vision Festival, New York 2008; Afrofuturist Festival Elastic Arts, Chicago 2019; Carnegie Hall, New York 2022; Published Firehouse 12 New Haven, 2008.

Honoring Grace: For Michelle Obama; Commissioned by Jazz Institute of Chicago; Premiered Spertus Museum, Chicago 2009; Performed at Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Black Unstoppable; Recorded Delmark, Chicago 2008.

Many Rivers Meet the Sea: For Alice Coltrane; Premiered at Millinium Park, Chicago 2007.

Hope, Future and Destiny; Commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago; Premiered at Austin Town Hall 2003; Published Dreamtime, Chicago 2004.

Afrika Rising; Published Dreamtime, Chicago 2004.

Vision Quest; Published Dreamtime, Chicago 2001.