King Sunny Ade will make a rare appearance at the Great African Ball on April 29 from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. (Roseland Ballroom, 239 W. 52^nd St.).

One of the key figures in the world music scene, Nigeria’s Ade is on a unique tour. This time, he is traveling African-style where concert-goers can practice the tradition of “spraying” – a form of arts patronage in which audience members simultaneously offer money to the performer while themselves receiving recognition in the form of “praise singing.” (American evangelists have used this technique for generations.) The tour began in March, and will end here on the 29.

The first Great African Ball, conceived by Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour, was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in 1999. The annual event has taken on the personality of a full Senegalese “ball” like the ones N’Dour and his band give in their own club in Dakar. This year Youssou N’Dour passes the torch to his friend King Sunny Ade. For another first, Prince Obi Osadebe will join Ade on stage. Never before have such high level Yoruba and Igbo musicians performed together, not only in America, but also in Nigeria.

King Sunny Ade’s albums are irresistible and his appearances in America are rare, so this should be quite an event.

-Barry Bassis