For African singer Dobet Gnahore, there is no separation between music, dance and percussion — all are part of her performance. And music is in her blood.
DOBET GNAHORE
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Orvis Auditorium, UH Manoa
Cost: $19-$39
Info: 956-8246 or outreach.hawaii.edu/community
She was born and raised in the artistic enclave of Ki Yi M’Bock in Ivory Coast, and learned the Bete dialect and traditions from her father, Boni Gnahore, a master percussionist. She sings in her native Bete as well as Fon and Baoule, with compositions ranging from Mandingue melodies to Congolese rumba. Gnahore sings in seven African languages in all, as well as English and French, backed by a pan-African band.
Gnahore gives her first performance in Hawaii on Friday at Orvis Auditorium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as part of a U.S. tour.
“It is my first time to Hawaii and I am very happy to discover these islands known throughout the world for their beauty,” Gnahore said in an email from France, where she now lives. “I will play my most beautiful pieces for the Hawaii audience — but also a few surprises.”
Gnahore’s powerful voice and stage presence have drawn international praise and won her a nomination for best traditional female artist of Africa by the KORA All Africa Music Awards.
Gnahore’s first album, “Ano Neko” (2003), was named after a duo she formed with her husband, French guitarist Colin Laroche de Feline. That recording was followed by “Na Afriki” (2007), “Djekpa La You” (2010) and “Na Dre” (2014). She collaborated with India.Arie on “Pearls,” which won a Grammy for best urban/alternative performance in 2009.
Though she no longer lives there, Ivory Coast continues to be her muse and inspiration.
“I need to sing about it because it is very present in me,” she said. “It makes up my character, my originality, my childhood memories. I am sort of an ambassador for this country that I love, where a large part of my family and friends still live.”
Through music she continues to address social issues such as gender equality and AIDS.
Though her style is all her own, Gnahore named the late South African singer and civil rights activist Miriam Makeba as her musical icon, not only for her music, but her fight against segregation. In France she listens to Coeur de Pirate, Christine and the Queens, and Angelique Kidjo. American singers she enjoys include Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
While languages might differ, Gnahore believes emotions are all the same, no matter where she performs.
“Music is a language in itself, and I think the emotions will come across,” she wrote. “But I try to give context to the songs in English so that the audience understands.”