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A grandchild of twin migrations fleeing US imperialism in the American South and Puerto Rico that converged on Cleveland, OH, experimental sound artist and activist, olula negre, is a cellist, improviser, composer, and visual artist whose work is rooted in their Black American and Latinx heritage, queerness and their interests in speculative fiction/storytelling and cosmic workings. With a deep commitment to social justice, olula negre creates and interprets works that embody principles of radical honesty, self-love, and equity. They are enthusiastic about collaborating across genres and mediums and have played alongside dancers, visual artists, actors, and singer-songwriters, including regular collaborations with their brother, writer Bernard E. P. Harris. 

In addition to their solo work, olula negre is a founding member of Mazumal, a duo committed to innovative performance that promotes inclusivity by addressing race, gender, inequality, and sustainability. Mazumal does this through commissions and interpretations of new works, collaborations with people of color, women, and LGBTQIA+ artists. 

olula holds a Bachelor of Music from The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, a Professional Performer’s Certificate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where they studied with Astrid Schween, and a Master of Contemporary Music Performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee where they studied with Rhonda Rider. olula has been in residence at The Banff Centre for Art and Creativity, The Atlantic Center for the Arts, and currently with the Dark Matter Residency in Chicago, IL.

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A grandchild of twin migrations fleeing US imperialism in the American South and Puerto Rico that converged on Cleveland, OH, experimental sound artist and activist, olula negre, is a cellist, improviser, composer, and visual artist whose work is rooted in their Black American and Latinx heritage, Afrofuturism, and queerness.