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Join us for an evening of dynamic world music from @NMSeymali on 3/30! Through a fusion of Moorish music and contemporary styles, Seymali’s dreamlike vocals combine perfectly with psych guitar from her husband, Jeich Ould Chighaly. More info @ kimmelcenter.org
Press Contact:
Lauren Woodard
215-790-5835
LWoodard@kimmelcenter.org
Jessica Christopher
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NOURA MINT SEYMALI DELIVERS AN
EXTRAORDINARY EVENING OF DYNAMIC WORLD MUSIC
AT THE KIMMEL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
MARCH 30, 2019
“Smoky-rich voice… she won’t likely be an unknown for long.” – NPR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Philadelphia, PA, January 31, 2019) – The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts welcomes Noura Mint Seymali to its SEI Innovation Studios for a BYOB performance on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. Hailing from West Africa, specifically the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Seymali’s dreamlike vocals combined with psych guitar from her husband, Jeich Ould Chighaly, guarantee an evening of dynamic world music. Seymali and Chighaly are accompanied by Philadelphia-native and drummer/producer Matthew Tinari – who joined the group following a happenstance meeting in Senegal.
“Noura Mint Seymali delivers an electrifying musical experience that is wholly unique in our intimate blackbox studio space,” said Anne Ewers, President and CEO of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. “We relish any opportunity for our community to experience broad and diverse artistic offerings on our Campus, and Seymali offers a perfect eclectic blend of old and new styles to captivate any music enthusiast.”
Described as a “mesmerizing tension between ancient and futuristic” by the Chicago Reader, the distinctive style is largely due to Seymali and Chighaly’s backgrounds. Both are Moorish griots, the poets, storytellers, and musicians who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa. They have combined their roots in Moorish music with a contemporary style to gain critical acclaim with chart topping albums and electrifying performances.
The brilliant fusion is heightened even more by Seymali’s sumptuous voice. NPR raves “with her smoky-rich voice, this griot artist tips toward reggae, flamenco and rock along with traditional Sahelian tonalities and rhythms...Though Seymali is still a newcomer to American audiences, she won't likely be an unknown for long.” Chighaly’s psych guitar, which has been compared to Hendrix and Richard Thompson, is the ideal accompaniment to Seymali’s soulful melodies.
Other featured upcoming performances at the Kimmel Center Cultural Campus include: KODO: Evolution (March 12, 2019, Verizon Hall), Celtic Woman: Ancient Land (April 4, 2019, Academy of Music), PHILADANCO: Dance Philly Style (April 12-14, 2019, Perelman Theater), DIVA Jazz Orchestra (April 27, 2019, Perelman Theater), The Illusionists – Live From Broadway (May 10-11, 2019, Merriam Theater), and Rennie Harris: Funkedified (June 7-8, 2019, Merriam Theater)
Noura Mint Seymali
SEI Innovation Studio
March 30, 2019, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now for $15.00. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelculturalcampus.org, or at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Group sales are available for groups of 10 or more and can be purchased by calling 215-790-5883. See www.kimmelculturalcampus.org for more information.
This is a designated BYO performance. Acceptable forms of BYO are 6-pack of beer and/or 750ml bottles of wine only; no liquor or open containers are permitted. Limit of one (1) 750ml bottle of wine OR one (1) six-pack of beer per two guests. Corkscrews and rolling coolers are not permitted. Ice, cups and corking service available at venue at no cost. All BYO Night guests are subject to lawful ID checks and bag checks at the manager’s discretion.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, the Kimmel Center’s mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center Campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the Merriam Theater. The Kimmel Center is also home to eight Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelculturalcampus.org.
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