Angelique Kidjo Returns to the Road as Support Act on Santana's Eagerly-Awaited U.S. Summer Tour

The world music sensation Angelique Kidjo returns to the road this summer as opening act on Santana's eagerly-anticipated U.S. concert tour. Kidjo -- a charismatic and gifted performer who brings her exuberant spirit, commanding voice and electrifying dancing to every show -- co-wrote and recorded the original version of "Adouma," the opening track on Santana's latest best-selling album, Shaman. The 24-date Santana/Angelique Kidjo tour opens June 11 at the Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia, and wraps up July 14 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California (see itinerary following).

Kidjo's most recent album, the critically acclaimed Black Ivory Soul, was released in 2002 and garnered the dynamic artist her third Grammy Award nomination. On the Bill Laswell-produced Black Ivory Soul, Kidjo explores the musical kinship between Africa and Brazil, specifically her Benin homeland and the city of Bahia. Black Ivory Soul is highlighted by Kidjo's songwriting collaborations with Brazilian musicians Carlinhos Brown and Vinicius Cantuaria among others. On her album, Kidjo covers a buoyant Gilberto Gil number as well as a gorgeous ballad written by renowned French songwriter Serge Gainsbourg. Among the many highlights of Black Ivory Soul is the buoyant and infectious "Iwoya," Angelique soul-stirring duet with Dave Matthews.

In addition to touring the world in support of Black Ivory Soul, Kidjo appeared at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway, in December 2002. At the concert, which honored Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter, Kidjo performed two songs with her own band as well as an energetic rendition of her song "Adouma" with Carlos Santana and his band.

Angelique Kidjo was appointed UNICEF Special Representative in July 2002, and has spent much of her time recently traveling to Finland, Tanzania, Benin and South Africa focusing on the education of young girls and AIDS prevention.

  Look for Angelique Kidjo coming to a venue near you this summer!

                          Angelique Kidjo
                            Summer Tour
                                2002

  June 11          Atlanta, GA              Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater
  June 13          Raleigh, NC              ALLTEL Pavilion
  June 14          Washington, DC           Nissan Pavilion
  June 15          Pittsburgh, PA           Post Gazette Pavilion
  June 17          Hartford, CT             Meadow Music Theatre
  June 18          Holmdel, NJ              PNC Bank Arts Center
  June 20          Wantagh, NY              Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach
  June 21          Wantagh, NY              Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach
  June 22          Saratoga, NY             SPCA
  June 24          Philadelphia, PA         Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
  June 25          Boston, MA               Tweeter Center
  June 27          Scranton, PA             Coors Light Amphitheater
  June 28          Buffalo, NY              Darien Lake Amphitheater
  June 29          Toronto ONT              Molson Amphitheater
  July 1           Detroit, MI              DTE Energy Music Theatre
  July 2           Columbus, OH             Polaris Amphitheater
  July 4           Milwaukee, WI            Summerfest
  July 5           Chicago, IL              Tweeter Center
  July 6           St. Louis, MO            Riverport Amphitheater
  July 8           Denver, CO               Fiddler's Green Amphitheater
  July 11          Concord, CA              Chronicle Pavilion at Concord
  July 12          San Francisco, CA        Shoreline Amphitheater
  July 13          San Diego, CA            Coors Amphitheater
  July 14          Los Angeles, CA          Hollywood Bowl

SOURCE: Columbia Records

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Annie Ohayon Media Relations, Inc., +1-212-941-9665 or fax +1-212-941-9361

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