CARNEGIE HALL PRESENTS
Angelique Kidjo

Zankel Hall
Saturday, November 1st, 2008 at 8:30 PM

Angelique Kidjo, Vocals

Angelique Kidjo, Vocals
Angelique Kidjo, whose work has garnered four Grammy nominations, has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk, and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a diverse group of international artists like Carlos Santana and Gilberto Gil. Her duet with Dave Matthews on the song “Iwoya,” which appeared on her last record Black Ivory Soul, was a critical success that helped diversify her fan base.

The daughter of an actress, dancer, and theatrical producer, Ms. Kidjo was born in Quidah, a coastal city in the West African country of Benin. Inheriting her mother's love of performing, she made her stage debut with her mother's theatrical troupe. Inspired by the rock, pop, and soul music of Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Miriam Makeba, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, she was singing professionally by her 20th birthday. Although Pretty, produced by Cameroon-based vocalist Ekambi Brilliant, yielded the hit single “Ninive,” the oppressive political environment of Benin led her to relocate to Paris in 1980 where her international career started to blossom.

In the course of her successful career Ms. Kidjo has spread her rhythmic Afro-funk fusion to the four corners of the globe. With her fun-loving personality and her on-stage charisma, Ms. Kidjo is certainly one of the most popular artists on the current world scene.