Kansas City native Mehari is one of jazz’s fastest-rising young bandleaders and, as the winner of the 2008 National Trumpet Competition, a formidable instrumentalist. While based primarily in Paris, Mehari visits the KC region several times a year, and is arguably the most popular young jazz artist contributing to the Kansas City scene. Mehari’s first full-length album as bandleader, Bleu, was released in 2017 to wide acclaim. Mehari received his BM in Jazz Performance from the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance in 2010.