Angélique Kidjo

One of the most famous and influential figures in Africa, singer-songwriter-actress Angélique Kidjo has built a career in music and gathered an audience as diverse as her palette. From jazz and Afro-pop/Afrobeat to reggae and gospel, from Latin pop and world fusion to funk and rock, Kidjo—-now working out of New York—-has done it all over the course of 13 albums and four decades. Especially active of late, the multiple-Grammy-winning diva has dropped six albums since 2010, including Celia, her tribute to the late Cuban star Celia Cruz which came out in April. Needless to say, the opportunity to catch Kidjo live at this point in her career, especially in a space as intimate as the Jo Long Theatre, is nothing short of a gift. If you’re unfamiliar with Kidjo’s work and looking for an entry point, check out 2001’s Keep on Moving: The Best of Angelique Kidjo.