blackearthmuse

Henderson, NC, USA

Nicole Mitchell is an award-winning creative flutist, conceptualist and composer. Having emerged from Chicago’s creative music community in the 90’s, she is the former first woman president of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. Born in Syracuse, NY, Nicole was influenced by her mother’s community work as an artist at the Folk Art Gallery of Syracuse, founded by Herb Williams. After moving to Chicago in her early twenties, these early experiences influenced her to become a member of the AACM and a cultural daughter of Haki R. Madhubuti while working at Third World Press. Mitchell’s music celebrates contemporary African American culture with a creative process informed by literature, narrative and a special interest in science fiction. For over 20 years, Nicole has utilized her art to create alternative worlds that “bridge the familiar with the unknown,” with her Black Earth Ensemble.