Oumou Sangaré w/ Will Calhoun's Mali Project
Women’s Voices Series
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM
Apollo’s Historic Theater – 253 West 125th Street, Harlem
Tickets: $30 | $40 | $45 | $50 | $75
Presented by World Music Institute in Association with The Apollo
With opening act Will Calhoun’s Mali Project
World Music Institute in association with The Apollo present Malian musician and GRAMMY Award winner Oumou Sangaré for an incredible one-night-only performance at the world famous Apollo in Harlem, New York. One of West Africa’s most celebrated vocalists, Sangaré infuses her music with traditional African percussion, distinctive vocals, and progressive social criticism, creating a unique sound that has propelled her onto the international stage.
In her Apollo debut, Sangaré, “The Songbird of Wassoulou,” will perform music that spans traditional Wassoulou music to contemporary sounds coming out of Africa as well as songs from her recent critically acclaimed album, Timbuktu.
As an activist, businesswoman and global icon, Oumou Sangaré is considered an ambassador of Wassoulou; her music has been inspired by the music and traditional dances of the region. She writes and composes her songs, which often include social criticism, especially concerning women’s low status in society.
Drawing comparisons to legendary performers such as Grace Jones, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin, Sangaré has been praised by stars including Beyoncé and Alicia Keys for her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to the betterment of women.
This concert is presented as part of Apollo’s Fall 2022 Season as well as WMI’s WOMEN’S VOICES series celebrating the role that female artists play in the preservation and promotion of their respective cultures and traditions.
Will Calhoun is a two time GRAMMY Award winner with the genre bending iconic rock band LIVING COLOUR. He has worked with renowned musicians from around the world such as B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Wayne Shorter, Pharaoh Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Lauryn Hill, Marcus Miller, Oumou Sangaré, Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def, Public Enemy, Jaco Pastorius, and others. Will has invested over 25 years of personal research in the Outback of Australia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Belize, and Northern Brazil to document and study the true history of the drums, rhythm, sonic vibrations and their impact on modern music. Will is an inventor and avid user of technology and its unique role in creating music. He continues to exemplify brilliance in combining a plethora of music genres and technologies.