Black Atlantic is a futurist cultural education and entertainment organization dedicated to the history and evolution of the African Diaspora.
We explore the ways Black Diasporic oral traditions have shaped the soundtrack of human civilization, providing critical counternarratives to dominant written histories. Through music, performance, and cultural programming, Black Atlantic connects the dots between African-rooted rhythms and the genres they gave birth to worldwide.

Our flagship production, Afrocidade, is a one-of-a-kind musical performance exploring the shared culture and history between Washington, DC and Salvador Bahia, Brazil; two cities whose historically Black communities have each shaped the national cultures of their countries. Powered by a 10-piece ensemble of musicians, vocalists, dancers, and narrators, Afrocidade journeys through time, from plantations to the present, interpreting the music of Gilberto Gil, Olodum, Caetano Velloso, and more. More than a concert and not quite a musical, it is a real-time cultural bridge, an elegy to ancestry, and a clarion call for a more empathetic future. DC Theater Arts called it "an exhilarating look into the shared culture and history between DC and Salvador Bahia through song and dance."
Also under the Black Atlantic umbrella, Sahel is a multilingual live music ensemble performing Zouk, Reggae, Samba, Salsa, Senegalese Mbalax, Funana, and more, blending the colors of the African Diaspora into a single, living sound.

Founded by artist, musician, producer, and ethnomusicologist Jean-Francis Varre, Black Atlantic sits at the intersection of art, education, and cultural preservation. We create experiences that don't just entertain. They remind audiences where the music came from.

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