Michele Rosewoman, born March 19, 1953, in Oakland, California, is an American pianist. She began playing piano at age six and later studied Cuban and Haitian folkloric rhythms and vocal traditions during her late teens. In 1984, she released The Source with Baikida Carroll, Roberto Miranda, and Pheeroan akLaff. Her debut album as a leader was Quintessence, released in 1987 on Enja Records. Throughout her career, Rosewoman has collaborated with numerous notable musicians, including Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, Billy Bang, Freddie Waits, Rufus Reid, Paquito D'Rivera, Julian Priester, Billy Hart, Reggie Workman, Celia Cruz, and Chocolate Armenteros. She leads the big band New Yor-Uba, which celebrates Cuban music in America. Notable albums include Harvest (1993, with Quintessence), New Yor-Uba, 30 Years: A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America (2013), and Hallowed (2019).
