Travel Tip: Jazz in United States
Angélique Kidjo

Angelique Kidjo

Angélique Kidjo UNITED STATES BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA  •  Zellerbach Hall  •  20 February 2010   The daughter of an actress, dancer, and theatrical producer, Angelique 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. CalPerformances Website Please click here for a Culturekiosque interview with Angelique Kidjo. Detailed schedule information: 8:00 pm Contact: University of California Zellerbach Hall Berkeley, CA, 94720-4800 Tel: (1) 510 642 99 88 email this item to a friend