Dobet Gnahoré will be performing at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s 17th Performing Arts Series

Dobet sings in a range of African languages, including Bété, Fon, Baoule, Lingala, Malinke, Mina or Bambara, and reproduces the Pan-African tradition of the Ki Yi Mbock group. On stage, her voice, charisma, huge presence, and years of theatrical and choreographic work have tremendous audience appeal.

Dobet inherited the “Bété” tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a percussionist who plays with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company. It was while at this Ivory Coast company that she met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline, who went there to be immersed in African melodies and rhythms, after being introduced to them by Toroma Sika in France.

Grammy Award singer Dobet sings in a range of African languages

Having spent some time in the well-known Tché Tché dance company, Dobet decided with Colin in 1999 to form a duo, Ano Neko, which means “Let’s Create Together” in Bété language. The duo toured widely in France from 1999-2000, where they settled temporarily following the instability that struck the Ivory Coast. They also worked together on different projects.

When they returned to Abidjan in 2001, they became the centre of attention and recorded eight songs under the supervision of the late Marcellin Yacé, who was killed during rioting in 2002. They decided to return to France, at least until there is stability in their country once again.

LIME and FirstBank Virgin Islands are platinum sponsors of the College’s Performing Arts Series. Tickets, $30 each, are available from LIME, HLSCC Bookstore, Sunny Caribbee, Road Town Bakery, and UMI Fashions; or call 852-7223. For more information about Dobet Gnahoré, please visit http://contrejour.com/artists/Dobet/.