Widely considered one of contemporary African music's most exciting new talents, 25-year-old Dobet Gnahoré performs at the Napa Valley Opera House on Sept. 22. The singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast thrilled the audience when she appeared at the Opera House in 2006 with Putumayo's Accoustic Africa with Malian guitarist Habib Koité and South African troubadour Vusi Mahlasela

The minute Gnahoré steps onto the stage, it's clear she is something special. She exudes an inner strength and commanding presence that draws you in, even before she begins to sing. Once Dobet does sing, she moves from heartfelt ballads to funky, danceable songs with ease, and performs in a wide range of African styles. And when Dobet dances, the depth of her talent shines through as she whirls around the stage and astonishes the audience with her moves.

On her recent album, "Na Afriki" ("To Africa"), Dobet offers a vision of Africa today. Performed in a number of different African languages, the songs address social and political issues: the struggles of women in African society, the exploitation of children, the impact of greed and violence on the family. Dobet calls upon Africa to seek solutions from within and draw upon its own vast resources to create a better future. She sings of love and loss, as well as joy and celebration, using a wide variety of rhythms and styles that reflects her unique pan-African approach.