MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kurie Fitzgerald: [email protected], 202-994-6461
Maralee Csellar: [email protected], 202-994-7564
EVENT:
Singer-songwriter Rokia Traoré is known for drawing in audiences and creating music and stories from multiple influences. Ms. Traoré defies the traditional confines of world music, blending traditional West African music with blues, rock, jazz and folk. What makes her remarkable is not just her powerful and emotional voice but also her stunning live performances that range from up-tempo guitar-led pop to haunting and melancholy ballads. She released her latest album “Né So (Home)” on Feb. 12 on Nonesuch Records. Produced by John Parish, an English singer-songwriter, the album features several guest performances, including Toni Morrison and John Paul Jones (of Led Zeppelin fame). Sinkane, a Sudanese multi-instrumentalist who has played with Of Montreal, Yeasayer and Caribou, will open for Ms. Traoré.
WHEN:
Friday, March 25, 2016; 8 p.m.
WHERE:
The George Washington University
Lisner Auditorium
730 21st St., NW
Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Blue, Orange and Silver lines)
TICKETS:
Tickets are $24-$45 and may be purchased by calling GW Lisner’s box office at 202-994-6800, or by visiting www.lisner.gwu.edu. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Lisner box office. Box office hours are Tuesday – Friday, noon – 6 p.m. The box office will also open one hour prior to the event.
RSVP:
Media interested in attending the concert must contact Kurie Fitzgerald at [email protected] or 202-994-6461 no later than 48 hours before the event. Photos and interviews are available upon request. Attention calendar editors: Please do not publish media contact information.
BACKGROUND:
Rokia Traoré is the daughter of a Malian diplomat who was posted in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, Ms. Traoré studied sociology in Brussels before embarking on her musical career. Currently living between Bamako, Mali; Brussels; and Paris, Ms. Traoré returns to her native Mali frequently. Her music draws upon Mali’s traditions as well as the European and American rock and pop she has listened to throughout her life.
Ms. Traoré was awarded the Roskilde Festival World Music Award in 2009 for her work with Fondation Passerelle. In addition to Toni Morrison, Ms. Traoré’s artistic collaborators have included Kronos Quartet, an American string quartet; Damon Albarn, an English musician; and Devendra Banhart, a Venezuelan American singer-songwriter.
-GW-