CD Release Party for AMINA @ The Talking Stick

My CD Release Party at The Talking Stick in Los Angeles on March 18^th was a perfect way to celebrate Spring’s arrival. A warm night, a roomful of good people from all over the world, and earthy connected energy from beginning to end. Such a pleasure to introduce a whole CD's worth of such beautiful new material.

Truly a lovely concert ... / photo by Mila Reynaud

golden-voiced Gambian, KADIATOU SIBI, opened the evening

... followed by South Carolina's New Star, the Divine KARA MACK

For my own show, I was blessed with an absolutely world class band: Otmaro Ruiz (piano / Venezuela), Katisse Buckingham (horns / USA), Walter Rodriguez (drums / Puerto Rico), Marcelo Caseras (guitar / Argentina), Magatte Sow (sabar & tama / Senegal), and Dante Pascuzzo (bass / USA). They mastered the entire set of new material in two rehearsals and gelled like they’d played together for years.

With Marcelo Caseras, Otmaro Ruiz, and Katisse Buckingham / photo by Mila Reynaud

Thiane Diouf joined me for the song "Small Boats"

AMINA’s producer ANDRE MANGA guested, on break from his global touring as Angelique Kidjo’s musical director / photo by Mila Reynauld

Our set was a slow burn that grew to a big fire at the end. Senegalese newcomers, Thiane and Baye Balla Diouf, joined Magatte on sabar drums for a throw down dance party. Here's a clip of the grand finale:

Magatte Sow on fire … he even threw in a Michael Jackson move! Thiane and Baye Balla on sabar drums

There always has to be at least one photo of Kara and I being silly

Oh man, I was so happy!

with L.A.'s young lions of sabar: Magatte Sow, Baye Balla Diouf, and Thiane Diouf

LAURI REIMER of Music Magique Promotions did a wonderful job organizing and promoting the show. Enthusiastic, super detail oriented and positive, she had countless great ideas to make the evening special.

Lauri Reimer – Promoter par excellence!

KPFK’s Sergio Mielniczenko invited me to chat & sing the prior Friday. He's always been so supportive!

singing to Los Angeles ... "Come to the Party!"

My friend and ally in all things Senegalese, Lynette Wich, helped create the ambiance by burning Senegalese incense. She also contributed one of her beautiful painting to the stage setting.

Photographer / artist Lynette Wich prepares the incense!

our excellent sound man, Eric Ahlberg

Kahlil Cummings, Kara's guitarist Noreen, and Chris (a.k.a Scrapploc)

The flyer … what a wonderful night!