The Apollo Theater In Partnership with Institute Presents The 4th Edition of AFRICA NOW! Celebrating The Best Of The Contemporary African Music Scene

Featuring 's Virtuoso , Up and Coming Ghanaian Afro-Soul Singer Jojo Abot, Nubian Pop And Sudanese Retro Singer/Songwriter Alsarah and the Nubatones and Six Piece Afro-Fusion Band From Zimbabwe Mokoomba

Hosted by Director/Actor Sahr Ngaujah (Fela!)

Saturday, March 26th at 8 pm

New York, NY, March 2, 2016– The Apollo Theater, in partnership with World Music Institute, presents the fourth edition of the Africa Now! concert, celebrating the best of the contemporary African music scene, on Saturday, March 26, at 8pm. Hosted by Sahr Agaujah, from the Broadway production of Fela!, with music by DJ Underdog, this year‘s concert will feature Bombino, Jojo Abot, Alsarah and the Nubatones and Mokoomba - artists who have drawn from their African roots for inspiration and transplanted them onto the global music landscape.

Bombino, a young guitarist and songwriter, from Niger, whose electrifying jams capture the spirit of resistance and rebellion while echoing with guitar riffs reminiscent of , , Ali Farka Touré, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Page; Jojo Abot, a Ghanaian singer/songwriter whose music is an experimental blend of electronica, afrobeat, jazz, neo-soul, house and reggae; East African retro pop group, Alsarah and the Nubatones, whose music blends a selection of Nubian ―songs of return‖ with original material and traditional music of central ; and Mokoomba the Zimbabwean six-piece band whose sound brings an electrified blend of Afro-fusion and traditional Tonga music. Drawing upon roots in Niger, Zimbabwe, Sudan, and Ghana for inspiration, each of this year's artists brings a unique sound, experience and energy.

―We are absolutely delighted to present our fourth Africa Now concert with World Music Institute. Our program of artists showcases the amazing range of musical talent within the African music scene. This year we are proud to showcase artists from Niger, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Ghana,‖ said Mikki Shepard, Apollo Theater Executive Producer. ―Each year‘s concert sets the bar high for the next year, and those who attend the festival know they can expect a world-class event, a great line-up, and an overall incredible experience.‖

MORE ABOUT AFRICA NOW! ARTISTS:

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Bombino, born and raised in Niger, in the northern city of , is a member of the Tuareg Ifoghas tribe, a nomadic people descended from the Berbers of North Africa. His dazzling live performance and virtuosity on the guitar have led notable music critics to compare him to Jimi Hendrix, , Neil Young, and Jerry Garcia. WMI's Par Neiburger declares Bombino "the next star of desert , à la Tinariwen." His 2013 album Nomad debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Music album chart and earned rave reviews including from BBC World Service, which called it ―utterly, utterly fantastic.‖ His fifth album Azel, collaboration with Dirty Projector producer Dave Longstreth, will be released April 1, 2016.

Jojo Abot, an emerging Ghanaian singer/songwriter, is poised to capture the ears of discerning listeners worldwide with her experimental blend of electronica, afrobeat, jazz, neo-soul, house and reggae. Dividing her time between Accra, Copenhagen and City, Jojo's music is a cultural and sonic fusion driven by her sultry voice, enchanting vulnerability and thought- provoking lyrics.

Alsarah is a Sudanese-born singer, songwriter and ethnomusicologist. Born in the capital city of , she relocated to , and later moved to the United States in 1994, following the outbreak of civil war. Through a collective love for Nubian 'songs of return' and an evolving conversation around shared migration experiences, Alsarah, drummer Rami el Aasser, Armenian-American oud player Haig Manoukian, and French-born Togo-raised bass player Mawuena Kodjovi, formed Alsarah & The Nubatones with a sound that has grown into what they have dubbed ‗East African retro-pop.‘

Mokoomba, has been described as ―exuberant youthful energy bursting with natural talent and contagious rhythm,‖ the six young musicians who make up Mokoomba are Zimbabwe‘s next generation of hope. Musically distinct, Mokoomba combines traditional and modern instruments with a rich blend of rhythms, creating a vibrant sound consisting of not only traditional Tonga music but embracing the diverse cultures of southern Africa. Mokoomba made a big impression with their debut tour of North America in 2014, and they are thrilled to return to the U.S. and Canada in March/April 2016 with brand new material in advance of their upcoming album, Luyando.

Sahr Ngaujah originated the title role in Fela! on Broadway. Ngaujah earned an Obie and Theater World Award and was nominated for an Olivier, Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk, Lortel and Drama League awards for his performance. TV credits include: The Good Wife, Taxi-22 (pilot), The Blacklist and Last Resort. Film credits include: Freeheld, Kenshow at the Bedfellow, Blood Done Sign My Name, The Signal, Stomp the Yard, Finding Fela and the upcoming Money Monster, directed by Jodie Foster. Director credits include: Conversations With Ice, Seven Sins. Masters of Theatre: DasArts - Netherlands. Music credits include: Sahr + Ricardo aKUsTIc, Chop & Quench, 2016 album appearances include "Drum for your life" by Pop It! "Action" by Directors, "Are you ready for this"(EP part3) by D-Felic.

TICKETS Tickets for Africa Now! are $25 - $50. Tickets are available at the Apollo Theater Box Office: (212) 531-5305, 253 West 125th Street, and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.

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ABOUT THE APOLLO THEATER The legendary Apollo Theater—the soul of American culture—plays a vital role in cultivating emerging talents and launching legends. Since its founding, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

With music at its core, the Apollo‘s programming extends to dance, theater, performance art, spoken word initiatives, and more. This includes the October 2014 premiere and 2015 international tour of the dance celebration project James Brown: Get on the Good Foot, the annual Africa Now! Festival, Apollo Club Harlem, and the upcoming New York premiere of the opera Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD. The Apollo is a presenting organization that also produces festivals, large-scale dance and music works organized around a set of core initiatives: Apollo Music Signature Programs—Amateur Night, Salon Series, Apollo Music Café; Legacy Series— work that celebrates and extends the Apollo‘s legacy through a contemporary lens; Global Festivals including the Women of the World (WOW) Festival and Breakin’ Convention, international and U.S.-based artist presentations focused on a specific theme; and Special Projects, multidisciplinary work with partner organizations.

Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo Theater has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms, and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, D‘Angelo, Lauryn Hill and Machine Gun Kelly; and the Apollo‘s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy.

The Apollo Theater is a not-for-profit organization and currently in the midst of fundraising for its 21st Century Apollo Campaign, created to extend the institution‘s role in fostering artistic innovation and in building appreciation of American culture around the world. For more information, visit www.apollotheater.org.

ABOUT WORLD MUSIC INSTITUTE Since 1985, World Music Institute has been the leading presenter of world music and dance in the United States. WMI is committed to presenting the finest in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world at attainable prices for all, with the goal to promote awareness and engagement of other cultures and to encourage cultural exchange between nations and ethnic groups. WMI collaborates with community organizations and academic institutions to foster greater understanding of the world‘s cultural traditions and depends on public and private funding to accomplish its mission.

Under new leadership as of 2015-16—its 30th anniversary season—World Music Institute has introduced an ambitious expansion of concert offerings that include contemporary, experimental and avant-garde presentations, as well as the traditional music that WMI has long 3

been known and admired for. In addition, the institution is thrilled to have launched new partnerships with BAM, 92nd Street Y, Storm King Art Center, Le Poisson Rouge, and Drom— while continuing partnerships with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Town Hall, Symphony Space, and the Apollo Theater (the annual Africa Now festival).

Some of the new and already widely-hailed series that World Music Institute created in the 2015-2016 season are the Lusophone Festival, Counterpoint series, Masters of Cuban Music, Masters of African Music, the return of Flamenco dance, and a Global Local initiative that offers opportunities and exposure to emerging NY talent in international music and dance. WMI is committed to continuing its legacy of presenting the world's greatest living masters in Indian classical music as well as in Indian dance, notably with its acclaimed Dancing the Gods series.

Africa Now! is sponsored by Time Warner Inc.

Generous support from the Howard Gilman Foundation.

The Apollo's 2015-2016 season is made possible by leadership support from Citi, Coca-Cola, Troy and Keisha Dixon, Ford Foundation, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Robert K. Kraft, The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, Merrill Lynch, The Parsons Family Foundation, the Ronald O. Perelman Family Foundation, JoAnn Price, Earl W. and Amanda Stafford, Time Warner Inc., the Reginald Van Lee Fund for New Works, the Apollo Board of Directors, and many other generous donors.

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Contacts: Nina Flowers Apollo Theater Foundation [email protected] / 212-531-5334

Cynthia Tate Apollo Theater Foundation [email protected]/ 212-531-5340

Aleba Gartner World Music Institute [email protected] / 212.206.1450

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