A few years ago the African Festival Of The Arts suffered many problems with bringing international stars to Chicago; dealing with politics of many dimensions concerning transport, travel and other situations. The 2003 festival is gigantic and packed with many superstars and legendary artists who are booked to perform over the Labor Day Weekend from Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1.
Featured entertainers include Chaka Khan among those performing on Sunday, Aug. 31, Phil Cohran and Hypnotic Love, Detour, Vinx with Les Nubians, Somi and on the final day Monday, Sept. 1 Judy Mowatt, Soukous Stars, Daniela Mercury, Patrulha do Samba and The Gap Band. There will also be celebrations of the genre of funk with the Dazz Band, Lenny Williams, Club Nouveau, Con Funk Shun and the Bar Kays and the International Garifuna Band on Saturday, Aug. 30.
On opening night, Donnie is one of the important artists who is continuing a style that is a special blend between Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, Lizz Wright, Roy Hargrove, Kindred the Family Soul and Gladys "Bob" Cespedes.
One of the most interesting feature is the participation of exceptional women who will bring to the African Festival of Arts a charming femininity that will be thrilling to the audiences and especially the male.
By special request Chaka Khan, native of Chicago, is back after she appeared in Chicago earlier this season. She is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and community advocate.
The Chicago Defender will never forget the fact that her early performances began under the sponsorship of Doris Furbuish during Easter Sunday Shows at the High Chaparral. She was also impressive when she thrilled audiences during PUSH's Black Expo productions.
During the decade of the `70s, Khan became the lead singer for Rufus and ultimately became a solo attraction.
A few of her hits were What Cha Gonna Do For Me?, Sweet Thing, Tell Me Something Good, Once You Get Started, Everlasting Love, Do You Love What You Feel, and Ain't Nobody along with I'm Every Woman.
LIZZ WRIGHT, a fabulous vocalist and interpreter of songs from Atlanta, returns to the Festival following a spectacular appearance at The Chicago Symphony Center. Her recently released album Salt has been extremely fantastic. Her penetrating velvet textured voice is luxuriant in sound. Her phrasing is amazingly perfect.
Audiences are not familiar with the talents of GLADYS "BOBI" CEPEDES, however, they will have a ball as they listen to her performances. She is currently making her debut on Six Degrees Records. A native of Cuba, she expresses a passionate combination of blended styles from Cuban Afro melodies underscored with Yoruba rhythms and the Yoruba melodic idioms. She blends ancient Nigerian elemental tones and contemporary dance as she utilized her rich voice in song steeped in the musical modes of that country. Those who are well familiar with African-Latin music will enjoy this special presentation for the 14th Annual Festival of the Arts.
JUDY MOWATT has been musically crowned Jamaica's Queen of Soul. She is no stranger to the entertainment world because she was a prominent member of Bob Marley's "1-Three."
Since leaving the ensemble she has developed into an extremely talented individual, writing, performing and producing her own compositions. She was nominated for a Grammy in 1985 for her album, Working Wonders and was the first woman who appeared on David Letterman's show the year her Black Woman album was named the greatest album recorded and produced by a female reggae artists. Her innovative creations were recorded on the Shanache label.
SOMI is a Ugandan who is fast becoming famous on the American scene. Somi says "I always feel as though I am representing Africa through my music." Because of the new generation of Africans living abroad, the genre of new African soul is being exposed beyond Seal and Sade.
NTOZAKE is a native of Phoenix, Arizona who made her album debut with How I Feel that was released in April. She has been booked to perform at the African Festival of the Arts, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m.
Upon settling in Chicago, she brought with her riveting sounds of hip hop funk utilizing the West Coast flare. The album How I Feel is a compilation of 13 songs.
Article copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.
Photograph (Somi)
No comments:
Post a Comment