SF/Arts Curator Insight

“Harpist from the Hood” Destiny Muhammad is the star of Soulful Joy, leading a sonic ensemble of Bay Area masters in a joyful, holiday reverie. The jazz musician iterates on the tradition of storied female African-American harpists, Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, but brings her own voice into the mix. Equal parts spoken word, jazz, gospel, and soul, Soulful Joy at Grace Cathedral is one of this year’s beloved Christmas Concerts. Destiny uses her music as a platform for change: she doesn’t shy away from issues of social justice, weaving in storytelling with adept harpistry to address issues like police brutality and economic disempowerment.