November 06, 2005
Queens of World Music!
Angélique Kidjo returns to the Kimmel Center this evening for a sold-out performance in the Perelman Theater -- This time she's joined by Peruvian superstar, Eva Ayllón.
The Benin-born Kidjo combines West African rhythms with influences from all over the globe, cross-pollinating the musical traditions of her childhood with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. The three-time Grammy nominated singer has performed and recorded with greats including Dave Matthews, Carlos Santana and Gilberto Gil.
After being introduced to North American audiences on David Byrne's album, The Soul of Black Perú, Ayllón started bringing her powerful musica criolla to the U.S. Eva is one of Peru's top performers of this unique "Creole Music" which combines the country's African, Spanish and indigineous musical traditions! In fact the national "Day of Criolla Song" is observed on October 31 in Perú.
Now If you missed out on tickets for tonight's performance, don't despair! We have an entire season of the greatest World Music ahead of us... and World Music fans, come on back to the blog tomorrow for an exclusive update from the annual WOMEX festival in the UK, and a sneak preview of up-and-coming acts ..