Friday night is guaranteed to erupt the Paramount Theater into a giant dance party. As always, SFJAZZ presents the best touring African music: Youssou N’Dour and Angelique Kidjo are no exception.
Almost exactly a year ago Angelique Kidjo kicked off the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg as well as the first show of the Stern Grove 2010 season. Kidjo’s powerful voice and funky grooves got the people on their feet. I hope she again sings the classic song "Malaika" made famous by Miriam Makeba and Harry Belafonte. I also really like her rendition of Curtis Mayfield’s classic “Move On Up” which is off her most recent album Oyo.
Even if you don’t recognize the name, you have heard Youssou N’Dour perform. I have been trying to see the Senegalese singer and percussionist N'Dour in concert for years now. Since his work with Paul Simon (“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes”) and Peter Gabriel (“In Your Eyes”) N’Dour has been an integral force bringing African music to the rest of the world. Seeing him perform literally is witnessing a legend.
I hope they play a few tunes together, they’ll bring down the house.
For tickets: Friday, June 17th at the Paramount Theater in Oakland: $25, $40 & $60 ($80 Sold Out)
