Okorie “OkCello” Johnson

Okorie “OkCello” Johnson, an Atlanta-based cellist-composer, looper, improviser, and storyteller, has been featured on the Tamron Hall Show, has been a recipient of The Kennedy Center Office Hours Artist Residency, and was accepted as a sound installation artist for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 2022 Biennale.

He is a co-composer and performer of a cello concerto Liminal, an Atlanta Concerto, which world premiered in February of 2023 with The Georgia Symphony Orchestra, he has scored a documentary for the Atlanta Journal Constitution named Imperfect Alibi, which won a regional Emmy, and he also scored a children’s theatre show for the Alliance Theatre named Head to Toe, which won a Suzi Bass Award.

He has opened for Maxwell and recorded and/or performed with India. Aire, De La Soul, and Big Boi of Outkast. He has 3 studio albums - Liminal, Resolve, and Beacon - and a Christmas EP, An Ok Christmas. This fall, Okorie will be releasing a brand-new album, continuing his journey of pushing the boundaries of the cello and storytelling through music. With a sound that blends deep-rooted traditions with innovative sonic landscapes, the upcoming project promises to further explore the emotional and spiritual resonance of his artistry. Fans can expect a powerful and immersive listening experience that reflects his evolving creative vision. His work centers on themes and expressions of the African Diaspora, while also exploring the phenomenon of musical prayer.

Drawing upon his experience as a teacher and writer, OkCello immerses his audiences in vivid stories and songs, creating a richly layered, transcendent concert experience, while also working with companies and educational institutions to leverage the power of music and storytelling to help solve problems and create community.