Kevin Nathaniel Hylton
A visionary musician who, with voice and ancient African instruments, channels sound as a universal healing force. Together, breathing rhythms to the beat of our synchronized hearts, Kevin Nathaniel resonates songs of unity and the “big picture” of love in beautiful ways. A celebrated composer of healing music; a long-time practitioner of the healing arts of mbira, kalimba, circle song, shekere, dance, meditation, and yoga; a world-traveled music healer and performer, sharing the medicine of the ancient, the now, and the beyond, Kevin Nathaniel brings a fresh, deep experience of the beauty of sound.
Kevin Nathaniel’s music is an invitation for us to come together, to share in song, laughter, positivity, movement, and prayer.
Kevin Nathaniel is a Scholar of the House of Yale University. Following Yale, Kevin intuitively devoted himself to the healing music of Africa, especially mbira music. He began constructing instruments, transitioning to vocal music, the playing of various instruments of the African world, dances of Africa, and sacred healing music. His journey has led him to today, where he is an innovative force in the development of a new kind of shamanic music, performing music festivals and ceremonies the world over. His recordings have developed a strong following not only among lovers of uplifting dance grooves, but also among the healing and natural medicine world, while healers have verified that his recordings and performances helped heal trauma, sleep disorders, physical pain, depression and anxiety.
Kevin has worked with shamans, channels, doctors, healers, mystics, and medicine people from Africa, Asia, South and North America. He has also worked with Alice Walker, Oprah Winfrey, Jonathan Demme, Madonna, Niles Rodgers, Ephat Mujuru, Dumisani Maraire, Bobby McFerrin, Maestro Manuel, Tito La Rosa, Nana Vasconcelos, Carlos Roberto, Miriam Makeba, Thomas Mapfumo, Dr. Mitch Gaynor, Pedro Cruz Garcia, Titos Sompa, Chief Bey, and Omega Institute (where he serves as musician-in-residence).
Kevin also produces New York City’s most well-loved world music series, Afro Roots Tuesdays: www.facebook.com/AfroRootsTuesdaysYippie/
Latest Videos
Upcoming Shows
Date: March 8th, 2024 | Time: 7:30pm
Place: Golden Drum
97 Greene St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
Kevin Nathaniel Afro Roots Ensemble
Kevin Nathaniel (mbira) and Salieu Suso (kora) and special guests in concert. I hope to see you there! Get your tickets here: www.goldendrum.org
Past Releases
Mbira Sanctuary
Mbira Magical
Bands & more music
To book any of these bands, please email kevin@kevinnathaniel.com
BrightSayings
Kevin Nathaniel and Hasan Bakr – music project from 1988
Village Meditations
Kevin Nathaniel and Atiba Kwabena – from 6 years ago
AfricanVoices
African Voices (Narada 1996)
The Peace Now Dept
Afrika meets India
Afro Roots Tuesdays
Afro Roots Tuesdays is a music series that features great live music every other Tuesday night. Afro Roots acknowledges this common thread of all of humanity. In a sense we are saying “human roots”. We have a strong commitment to artistry, to life, to culture, to dancing, to community, and to healing. We have a strong commitment to keeping culture alive and available to all, regardless of income.
The series is in its in fourth year of amazing concerts and due to the rising expense of maintaining the series, we are now at the crucial point of having to go to our community and ask for their kind support in the form of community sponsors who “keep the roof” on Afro Roots Tuesdays so we can keep movin’ and groovin’.
We ask that you please follow the link to contribute monthly to Afro Roots Tuesdays at any rate you feel comfortable with. You get to “vote” with your dollar to keep Afro Roots alive. The options begin at $1/month, or more. And $1/month will have a huge impact and go a long way to keep Afro Roots Tuesdays thriving. As a community sponsor for Afro Roots, you become one of the “producers” of the series and your contribution will be acknowledged.
