IMN - International Music Network

Tuesday February 21, 2012

ANGELIQUE KIDJO TO RELEASE FIRST LIVE ALBUM, SPIRIT RISING, ON FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Features Performances With Josh Groban, Dianne Reeves, Ezra Koenig and Branford Marsalis
Concert Aired On PBS Nationwide With Performance From the FELA! Dancers
Watch the “Spirit Rising” Trailer here

(New York, NY) – Razor & Tie artist Angelique Kidjo will release her new live album, Spirit Rising, on February 21st 2012. The 16 track album was recorded in Boston when Kidjo partnered with PBS and WGBH for a captivating live performance featuring special guests Josh Groban, Dianne Reeves, Branford Marsalis, and Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend). The record features a collection of Kidjo originals and covers including the Curtis Mayfield classic “Move On Up.” Angelique Kidjo will tour the US in early 2012 (tour dates below).

Joining Kidjo on Spirit Rising is her band of highly accomplished musicians, including Christian McBride on upright bass (also on her last studio album OYO), Thierry Vaton (piano), Dominic James (acoustic and electric guitar), Daniel Freedman (drums), Magatte Sow (percussion) and Marvin Sewell (electric guitar). Also featured are a trio of horn players from Berklee College, the Borromeo String Quartet and the Kuumba Singers of Harvard College. The album showcases Kidjo’s breathtaking voice and exuberant spirit that can only be heard during one of her magical live performances. The Boston Globe said of the performance, “The special captures the African singer in fierce form…. Kidjo’s appeal cuts across not only genres, but also generations….. Kidjo proves she can rattle the rafters.”

The 90 minute concert was filmed in Boston at WGBH’s studios and has aired nationwide on PBS since December 2011. The concert is available on DVD through WGBH and is the first ever documentation of Kidjo’s vibrant live performance. Also included on the DVD are five additional songs and a bonus interview with Angelique. The entire show is Kidjo’s personal tribute to her homeland, and the beauty and experiences of the African culture she grew up with and continues to embrace. Joining Angelique and the impressive array of musicians playing with her are the dancers of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical FELA!

Born in the West African country of Benin, Angelique Kidjo is a critically acclaimed recording artist deemed “Africa’s premiere diva” by Time Magazine. Kidjo was included by the BBC in its list of Africa’s Most Iconic Figures and The Guardian has listed her as one of the Top 100 Most Inspiring Women in the World. In October 2011, Forbes listed Angelique as the first women in their list of their 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa. Kidjo’s 2008 album Djin Djin won the Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music album at the 50th Grammy Awards and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding World Album in 2008, while her 2010 release OYO was nominated in the same category at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards ceremony. Kidjo’s internationally celebrated repertoire includes collaborations with artists including Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, Joss Stone, and more. Known for her dynamic and uplifting music, she has translated her distinctive work in the arts to that of philanthropy; by promoting education for girls in Africa through her foundation, Batonga, and as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. Kidjo has participated in several global events including the first 46664 Concert in Cape Town hosted by Nelson Mandela, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert in Johannesburg.

Spirit Rising Track List:
1. Tumba
2. Afirika
3. Redemption Song
4. Agolo
5. Gimme Shelter (with Dianne Reeves)
6. Malaika
7. Summertime
8. Batonga
9. Pearls (with Josh Groban)
10. Kelele
11. Move On Up (with Branford Marsalis)
12. I Think UR a Contra (with Ezra Koenig)
13. Lonlon – Ravel’s Bolero (with Branford Marsalis)
14. Monfe Ran E (with Dianne Reeves)
15. Senamou
16. N’Yin Wan Nou We

ANGELIQUE KIDJO TOUR DATES
Feb 25 – St. Thomas, USVI – Reichold Center for the Arts, UVI
Mar 2 – Davis, CA – Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts – Chevron World Stage
Mar 3 – Stanford, CA – Dinkelspiel Auditorium – Stanford University
Mar 8 – Austin, TX – Texas Performing Arts – University of Texas at Austin
Mar 10 – Toronto, ON – The Royal Conservatory
Mar 23 – Blue Bell, PA – Science Center Theater – Montgomery County Community College
Mar 24 – Washington, DC – GW Lisner Auditorium – George Washington University
Mar 25 – Roanoke, VA – Shaftman Performance Hall – Jefferson Center

ANGELIQUE KIDJO LINKS
www.kidjo.com
www.facebook.com/angeliquekidjo
www.twitter.com/angeliquekidjo
www.youtube.com/angeliquekidjo
www.batongafoundation.org
For Press Assets: http://razorandtiepublicity.com/artistpage.php?artist=166

CONTACTS
Kerri Brusca / Jenna Rosen
Razor & Tie Media Relations
(212) 598-2255 / (212) 598-2293
kbrusca@razorandtie.com / jrosen@razorandtie.com
www.razorandtie.com www.razorandtiepublicity.com