Seattle Moore Theater : Angelique Kidjo

Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo is touring Europe to promote her new CD, Djin Djin. On the album, Angelique sings in her native languages as well as in English and French. Guests on the album include Peter Gabriel, Carlos Santana, Ziggy Marley, Amadou & Mariam, Branford Marsalis, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, and Joss Stone.

The daughter of an actress, dancer, and theatrical producer, Kidjo was born in Quidah, a coastal city in the West African country of Benin. Inheriting her mother's love of performing, she made her stage debut with her mother's theatrical troupe. Inspired by the rock, pop, and soul music of Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Miriam Makeba, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin, she was singing professionally by her 20th birthday. Although she recorded an album, Pretty, produced by Cameroon-based vocalist Ekambi Brilliant that yielded a hit single, "Ninive," the oppressive political environment of Benin led her to relocate to Paris in 1980. Kidjo's husband, Jean Hébrail, a French bass player and composer she met in 1987, has played a major role in the recording of her albums.

The Moore Theatre Web Site

Please click here for a Culturekiosque interview with Angelique Kidjo.