Monday, March 29, 2010

CD Release Party for AMINA @ The Talking Stick

My CD Release Party at The Talking Stick in Los Angeles on March 18th 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

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golden-voiced Gambian, KADIATOU SIBI, opened the eveningPhotobucket

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

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 ReynaudPhotobucket

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

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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 drumsPhotobucket

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

Oh man, I was so happy!Photobucket

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

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!Photobucket

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

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

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!Photobucket

our excellent sound man, Eric AhlbergPhotobucket

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

The flyer … what a wonderful night!Photobucket