PRESS KIT

Zondo (Abraham Mellish) is a native-born son of Liberia who was forced to immigrate to America at the age of 15 as an asylee, due to civil war. In response to this struggle, Zondo found the path of musical expression, whereby he taught himself to play instruments (especially guitar) & write songs. He fuses traditional Liberian sensibility with American folk-pop to create a unique blend of sounds that transcends boundaries by speaking directly to the heart. Whenever Zondo plays or writes, the intention is an act of healing—while the message encourages us to resonate with love in the face of adversity. His performances unite people & ignite their spirits. It’s a global place where melody, rhythm, activism, & culture intertwine.

Zondo has played for Chicago’s World Refugee day for 5 years running, Chicagoland’s public schools & universities, Standing Rock, Lago Atitlan’s artist residency (Guatemala), as well as intimate yet highly attended events produced by Sacred Sons. He has been accompanied by Robert Irving III (music director for Miles Davis) & further collaborated with progressive contemporaries—such as Ugandan superstar Maurice Kirya, Chicago hip-hop master & revolutionary youth mentor PHENOM, plus Chicago’s especially smooth poet Harold Green. Zondo has also been featured to open for widely renowned artists including Ruben Studdard, Poranguí, & Lizzy Jeff.

Zondo, his wife, & their two young children are pleased to call Appalachia their new home—where he continues to create music & remains committed to sharing it with the world, through avenues dedicated to the liberation of all peoples. It’s not just a typical singer-songwriter project; it’s also a movement toward Restorative Justice, toward Peace. As his fellow Africans have said it: Ubuntu!