African Grammy Award winner to perform in St. Kitts

Dobet Gnahoré

St. Kitts (April 26, 2010) — Ivorian singer, dancer and percussionist Dobet Gnahoré will be in concert in St. Kitts on the evening of Thursday May 13 at the Blue Martin at the St. Kitts Marriott, thanks to Alliance Française of St. Kitts and Nevis and other sponsors. Proceeds from the concert will go towards earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

In making the announcement on Friday April 23, Rita Schneider, Director of Alliance Française of St. Kitts and Nevis noted that Dobet Gnahoré of Ivory Coast in West Africa, and American India Arie, in February won a 2010 Grammy Award in the category “Best Urban/Alternative Performance for solo, duo, group or collaborative performances with vocals” for the song ‘Pearls’ inspired by the Dobet Gnahoré’s track ‘Palea’, from her second album ‘Na Afriki’.

“I am happy to get to come to St. Kitts a musician of such caliber,” said Schneider. “It is the first time we are having an artiste from Africa, and it is really refreshing as she will bring a new blend, and different styles of music. I urge all music lovers to come out and experience an evening of compelling performances of modern-traditional African music blends and dance.”

Director of Alliance Française of St. Kitts and Nevis, Rita Schneider (left) and office assistant Kelly Jeetlall review posters advertising Dobet Gnahoré’s forthcoming visit to St. Kitts

The singer who is also being sponsored by the (French) General Delegation of St. Lucia, Frigate Bay Resort, WINN FM 98.9, ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation, St. Kitts Bottling Company, Air Caraibes, and Harper’s Office Depot, will perform in St. Kitts only one night, following her performance at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival.

Dobet Gnahoré, who is widely travelled, inherited the force of the “Bété” tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist who plays with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company, directed by Werewere Liking.

It was within this Ivory Coast-based company that Dobet met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline, who went there to immerse himself in African melodies and rhythms, after being introduced to them by Toroma Sika in France.

Director of Alliance Française of St. Kitts and Nevis, Rita Schneider, is appealing to all residents to make a date with the Ivorian singer, who will give them their money’s worth even as they raise funds for the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. “Thursday May 13 is a day not to be missed. Tickets are available from the Alliance Française of St. Kitts and Nevis offices in Greenland.”