Angélique Kidjo, the West African born singer, “Africa’s premier diva” (Time), and creative force with 13 albums to her name, brings her striking, powerful voice and empowering songbook to the Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 8 p.m. An uplifting presence on stage and humanitarian at heart, Kidjo is a cultural ambassador who cross-pollinates the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of R&B, funk, and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America—illustrating the universality of music. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
As a performer, Kidjo’s fluency in multiple cultures and languages has won respect from her peers and expanded her following across the globe. The BBC included her in its list of the continent’s 50 most iconic figures, while The Guardian has recognized her as one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World. Forbes ranked Kidjo as the first woman in its list of the Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa. She is also the recent recipient of the prestigious 2015 Crystal Award given by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Kidjo’s first Grammy was awarded to her star-studded album DJIN DJIN in 2008 for Best Contemporary World Album. Her album OYO was nominated for the same award in 2011. In January 2014 Kidjo’s first book, a memoir titled Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music, and her twelfth album, EVE, were released to critical acclaim. EVE went on to win the 2015 Grammy for Best World Music Album.
Her latest album, SINGS with the Orchestre Philharmonique Du Luxembourg, sees the visionary songwriter and vocalist team with renowned conductor and composer Gast Waltzing to create a work that blends classical music traditions of Europe with the powerful rhythmic excitement of Africa. Backed by 110 instrumentalists, the singer—drawing fresh, emotional power from her trademark guttural voice—re-imagines nine pieces from her 24-year discography and two new tunes (“Otishe,” “Nanae”) from EVE. SINGS garnered Kidjo her eighth Grammy nomination and third win.
Kidjo has performed the genre-bending work with international orchestras and symphonies including the Bruckner Orchestra, The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Philharmonie de Paris. She continued her exploration of classical music in the Phillip Glass collaboration IFÉ: Three Yorùbá Songs, which made its U.S. debut to a sold out concert with the San Francisco Symphony in June 2015.
In addition to performing new orchestral repertoire, Kidjo continues to tour globally performing the rousing, high-energy concerts that are her hallmark.
She also travels the world advocating on behalf of children in her capacity as a UNICEF and OXFAM goodwill Ambassador. She created her own charitable foundation, Batonga, dedicated to support the education of young girls in Africa.
Strathmore Presents
Angélique Kidjo
Friday, September 9, 2016 – 8 p.m.
Tickets $28-$78
For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.strathmore.org or call (301) 581-5100.
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