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"Global Groove"

Angelique Kidjo

Saturday, May 12 • 8pm

“A voice by turns dynamic and soothing, authoritative and plaintive”—People

Program Notes

Angelique Kidjo is an anomaly in world music circles. Where many artists embrace and modernize the musical traditions of their native countries, Kidjo manages to synthesize her far-ranging influences into an international style all her own. Born in Benin, a small country wedged between Nigeria and Togo in western Africa, Kidjo moved to Paris in her early twenties to escape the turbulent political climate in her homeland. She sang back up for a number of bands in the French capital before launching her own, inspired by the pop, rock and soul of Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin. By the end of the ’80s her kinetic stage presence and vocal "growls and swoops that link African tradition to American soul music" (The New York Times) were well known across the City of Lights.

Kidjo’s reputation spread just as rapidly when she launched her recording career. Her discography is highlighted by a trilogy of albums that explore the African roots of music from Brazil (Black Ivory Soul), the Caribbean (Oyaya!), and the United States (Oremi). Besides charting a number of dance hits, she has received four Grammy nominations and was named "Best Female Singer" by the Danish Music Awards. And Kidjo's global influence does not stop with music. She has long been dedicated to social work, a role she carries out on a global scale as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

On her new album, DJIN DJIN, she looks to her musical roots for inspiration. Along with French and English, Kidjo sings in Yoruba and Fon and works with guest musicans Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Amadou and Mariam, and Branford Marsalis. Produced by Tony Visconti, the man behind many of David Bowie and T. Rex's classic albums, and recorded at Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios, it is yet another step in her intriguing synthesis of music from every corner of the globe.