The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County proudly presents Angelique Kidjo, the electrifying West African vocalist who mixes African traditions with American R&B, funk and jazz, on March 5, 2010, at 8 p.m. at the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall. Tickets range from $30 to $60, and may be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office at (305) 949-6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org.
Winner of the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album, Angelique Kidjo has mesmerized audiences all over the world and performed for political luminaries such as Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, and recently at President Obama’s Inaugural Peace Ball. Now, she will bring her unique blend of African and Western music to Miami for a night that celebrates the beauty of diversity, as well as the unity of cultures. Her lush sounds meld the rhythms of Africa with a soaring dramatic voice, creating an internationally-acclaimed repertoire of rich music and sweeping melodies. Her engagement at the Arsht Center will feature audience favorites plus an exciting sneak preview of songs from her forthcoming album, OYO.
“ANGELIQUE KIDJO, the songstress affectionately known as Africa’s premier diva, will fill the Knight Concert Hall with her universal sound and powerful voice,” said M. John Richard, President and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “Anyone who loves uplifting lyrics and music that breaks cultural boundaries is in for a real treat. As a place that celebrates diversity, I hope the South Florida community will take part in this special musical event that focuses on the beauty of cultural oneness.”
Dynamic and exhilarating, ANGELIQUE KIDJO is one of the most energetic and joyous performers in the world today. As a child, she was inspired by the rock, pop and soul music of Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Miriam Makeba, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, which led her to trace the African roots of music from the United States, Brazil, and the Caribbean. The result has been a career of critically-acclaimed original music, including the trilogy of Grammy-nominated albums, OREMI (1998), BLACK IVORY SOUL (2002), and OYAYA! (2004).
In 2007, ANGELIQUE KIDJO released her landmark, Grammy Award-winning album DJIN DJIN (pronounced “gin gin”), bringing international artists to the music of her native country of Benin in West Africa. The album is a marriage of cultures with African and Western influences, and features stellar guest artists, such as Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Josh Groban, and Carlos Santana. DJIN DJIN has been released in the languages of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo, and solidified KIDJO’s stature as the continent’s single most celebrated musical exponent. In April of this year, KIDJO is set to release her latest album of innovative music, titled OYO, this time interpreting the songs of some of her childhood musical heroes, including Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, and Otis Redding, plus songs from Hollywood and Bollywood films.
Angelique Kidjo has performed in some of the most noteworthy events of this decade, including Nelson Mandela’s historic 46664 concert in 2009 in Johannesburg, the Live 8 concert in 2005 in the United Kingdom, and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert honoring Jimmy Carter in 2002. With joy and passion KIDJO embodies the spirit of Africa and continues to tour the world, often appearing in London, Paris, Brussels, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome, Japan, and Singapore.
Angelique Kidjo has also contributed music to several major feature film soundtracks, including Blood Diamond and The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, as well as for the hit TV shows Six Feet Under and Weeds.
Highly dedicated to global charity work, Angelique Kidjo serves as a UNICEF and OXFAM goodwill ambassador. In January of 2009 she founded her own charitable organization, Batonga, dedicated to supporting the education of young girls in Africa. “Music brings us together, but after the music is over, you go back to your home, to your neighborhood, knowing that you can make a difference. You have to be proud of who you are. Whether you were born in America or Africa, you can celebrate life,” says Kidjo.
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The Adrienne Arsht Center presents
Angelique Kidjo
“Her spirit is irrepressible, and she brings life to everything she touches.” – Peter Gabriel.
Angelique Kidjo, the Grammy-winning, much-celebrated singer, composer, and performer began in the Beninese port village of Cotonou, where she launched her career at the age of six. Deemed Africa’s premier diva by Time Magazine, her unique blend of African and Western sounds has been praised by world luminaries – from Nelson Mandela to Carlos Santana. Her music embraces a seamless array of elements from funk, blues, reggae, rock, Afro-pop and jazz, energized by her soaring dramatic voice, and the dance-party rhythms of her homeland.
March 5, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Knight Concert Hall
Adrienne Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL, 33132
Tickets: $30 – $60
For tickets visit www.arshtcenter.org, or call the Box Office at (305) 949-6722.