UPTOWN NIGHTS
NATU CAMARA
Saturday, October 23, 2021, 7:30PM & 10PM Harlem Stage Gatehouse Address: 150 Convent Avenue at West 135 Street, New York, NY 10031 Phone: 212.281.9240 ext. 19 | Website: www.harlemstage.org
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ABOUT THE EVENT “If you merged Miriam Makeba with Nina Simone, added a dose of Tracy Chapman and sprinkled on some Tina Turner, you might begin to explain Natu Camara.” A vibrant singer and songwriter whose West African heritage, charged performance style, and passion for social justice has made her a unique presence in World Music. She is a champion of women’s and children’s rights and has inspired fans all over the world with her commitment to empowering women and young girls. Whether it’s singing of forced child marriage and disunity in her country, Guinea, or the loneliness and sadness she has witnessed in the developed world, Natu sings real stories about real issues in real people’s lives. As a performing arts center that exists proudly at the intersection of art and social justice with a decades long commitment to amplifying visionary artists of color, we are thrilled to present Natu Camara. Thank you for joining us.
Natu Camara – Vocals Shavit Prince– Backing Vocals Oscar (Amos) Debe – Drums Marius Van Den Brink – Keys Kayode Kuti – Bass Gianni Mano – Percussion (Congas, Djembe) Matthew Albeck – Guitar Jamie Ambler – Creative Director Natalie Pinto – Manager Mel Puljic/Awesome Company – Agent
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
NATU CAMARA Born in Ivory Coast and raised in Guinea, Natu Camara’s devotion to music exploded in early success when she joined three friends to form West Africa’s first ever female R&B/hip-hop band, the Ideal Black Girls. Their first album, Guinea mou monèra (“It’s not a shame to be a woman”) went on to sell in the millions and was nominated for Best Album 2002 in Guinea. Encouraged by thousands of loyal fans thrilled by the music but even more inspired by its commitment to women’s power, the Ideal Black Girls toured throughout Africa while managing to finish college, an inspiration for an entire generation of girls. And their impact has been lasting. They organized Rhapsody, a revolutionary festival of live music and mentorship for females, and their song “Didi” continues to be played extensively, often as an expression of love at weddings. Their second album, recorded in Senegal, was also successful, but it marked a new phase to Natu’s career. Natu traveled to New York to spend time with her husband, only to endure a tragedy: not long after she arrived, he tragically passed away from cancer, leaving her suddenly alone at the beginning of a long, dark period of mourning. For her fans she was silent, yet in the darkness, alone in a foreign country, with nothing but grief and a guitar her husband had bought for her as a wedding present, she quietly began playing and writing. When a peculiar bird came to her window uptown in 2013, she took it as sign that it was time to begin anew. She rapidly learned English, formed a band, and began to sing and write an entirely new form of music. Though she’d been playing hip hop music her entire young life, now she sang inspired by such stars as Ali Farka Toure, Mory Kanté, Fela Kuti, Baaba Maal and Nina Simone. An opportunity arose to record a couple of her songs in New York with Salif Keita’s musicians. When Natu realized they could deliver the sound she was looking for, their offer to record in Mali was easy to accept. She packed her guitar and took an unforgettable journey into the heart of her new music.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
In Mali, master guitarist and producer Djessou Mory Kanté introduced her to the world-class musicians who would capture the heart and soul of the sound she longed to give the world. That album, Dimedi (“Child”), was received with acclaim in her home country, all those who knew her as a hip-hop performer being stunned by her metamorphosis. The Guinean child was celebrated on an hour panel discussion on national TV, where she performed three songs with just guitar and percussion. It was reported a nation was brought to tears when she performed Dimedi/”Child”. Because of her commitment to helping her country and, in particular, young women in urgent need of mentors and strong female role models, Natu splits her time between Conakry, Guinea and New York. Whether it’s singing of forced child marriage and disunity in her own country or the loneliness and sadness she has witnessed in the developed world, Natu sings real stories about real issues in real people’s lives. “I sing about truth, love, peace, and the rights of women and children,” she says. “Meaning, my daily life is my inspiration.” And though she performs her songs in five languages, they need no translation. Everyone feels the power of energy. And everyone speaks the language of the heart. Until it was stalled by COVID,
Natu’s hugely successful North America tour passed through San Francisco, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Montreal, Quebec, Washington DC, Port du Prince and New York. She was also selected from among 1300 applicants by the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre to fund her next album. Throughout these dark days in the entertainment world, Natu’s drive and verve have kept her positive and performing at many Virtual Festivals, among them The Madison World Music Festival, The International Festival de Louisiane, Global Arts Live and a live performance for Voice of America in Washington. She was also selected to appear on state TV in Guinea to celebrate the life of Guinean superstar Mory Kante. Natu has been selected by GlobalFEST to appear in an exclusive video performance alongside 16 celebrated artists. It is the first time an artist from Guinea has been selected for this prestigious honor. Across the globe, adoring fans numbering in the thousands await the return of safety, normalcy and, of course, Natu.
MORE ABOUT NATU CAMARA Winner of a grant from The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theater
Natu Camar a. Singer. Songwr iter. Young women’s r ights activist.
Songs of hope and healing. Natu is the composer of all the songs and music on her albums. She engages the listener with socially active songs in support of women, children’s education, and immigrant policy in the world. My focus is on women’s empowerment and protecting children; on bringing a bright energy into this dark era, and on creating a dynamic that all people can relate and connect to. I thrive on building bridges between cultures and continents, and creating a healing sound-soul connection rhythm with claps and voices. Whenever I perform, I hear people’s hearts; I see their eyes and understand them. I know the world’s people need re-connection with themselves and Mother Nature to survive. I use my music and art to educate, elevate, mentor, and heal.
Music and mentor ship. A powerful combination for change. My sound is soul and Afro-rock, literally water and fire. That’s what I call it because as a musician, when I sing I feel the soul of the guitar and let the intensity of the energy around me inspire me in a very emotional way. Soul music is the only place I feel safe to be vulnerable, and Rock is where I express my pain, joy, celebration, revolution, and education. I use every fire in me, while I let the sound of the drums do the healing. I pour all of the knowledge and experiences I have had, from Africa to Europe to America, into what I do.
Pam Etre-Perez posted “Natu inspired us to dance and be ourselves by being a role model and by giving messages of universal importance in her songs.”
My stor y
I was born in Ivory Coast and grew up in Guinea. Growing up, girls were not allowed to bike, drive, play sports, sing, or speak up. I formed the first all-woman African hip-hop band, Ideal Black Girls. We did our part in making change in my country; we planted the seed of women’s empowerment. There were other young girls like us who started singing and rapping, but we were the first to survive in that line of work. As teenagers, my three friends and I took a huge step. It was not an easy road, but we succeeded. We finished college and produced two albums that were embraced and accepted. As mentored girls, we successfully created the first festival by Girls for Girls. I am a survivor of domestic violence, female mutilation and personal loss. I have been criticized and harassed because of my choices. But I was raised by a strong and independent African woman. She may not have always agreed with my choices, but she certainly taught me how to be my own woman with no fear.
Dimedi Foundation. Let the children grow. My goal is to: - Expand the freedom of girls everywhere through, awareness, education and leadership with the creation of Dimedi Foundation - A foundation to empower and promote young girls self worth - Create training classes for marginalized and unschooled females and provide them with the knowledge, skills and initiatives to change their own lives and their communities. - Create an inspirational platform for the youth to boost their confidence and embrace who they are - Seek to end early and forced marriage, which may have long-term effects on girls and women’s lives, health and bodies, including increased vulnerability to violence, we also seek to put an end to female genital mutilation that can cause chronic pain, infertility, hemorrhaging, epidermoid cysts, difficult labor and many other issues. - Ultimately, I want use my music and my story as inspiration to young women and make this world a better place. Founder / Ceo Dimedi Foundation Natu Camara
NATU CAMARA / WORKSHOPS / MASTER CLASSES Breaking down the walls that divide us through music:
A discussion with the class on how independent artists from developing countries get by in developed countries. Topics include integration, language barriers, music culture and exile. Strategies for artists to create real opportunities and make a name in the world. Rise above the water:
Mentor / Uplift / Inspire Master Class: Tallking to young people of African origin /and or others -What mentorship means to a child? How can we prepare them for the unknown “real” world? African Rhythm:
An Educational Master Class for any age focusing on West African drumming, singing, clapping and dancing rhythmically, followed by short personal stories. Women’s oppression:
-Meet the young woman who was not allowed to speak up but will never stop speaking up about young women’s rights. -Discussion includes female mutilation, arranged marriages, weddings with minors followed by music improvisations involving the entire class. Face to face with Natu:
Natu explains her transition from Hip Hop to Soul/Afro-rock, upcoming projects and Q+A. 15mins hang out and get to know Natu.
w w w. n a t u c a m a r a . c o m
NATU CAMARA singer-songwriter / guitarist / human rights activist
I was born in Ivory Coast and grew up in Guinea. In my community, girls were not allowed to bike, drive, play sports, sing, or speak up. Nonetheless, I formed the first all-woman African hip-hop band, Ideal Black Girls. As teenagers, my three friends and I took a huge step. It was not an easy road, but we succeeded. We finished college, produced two albums that were embraced and accepted and created the first festival by girls for girls. I'm proud that we did our part in making changes in my country, planting the seed of women’s empowerment. I am a survivor of domestic violence and female mutilation. I was raised by a strong and independent African woman who taught me how to be my own woman with no fear. In my work, I focus on women’s empowerment and protecting children; and on creating an open and welcoming dynamic that all people can relate to. I thrive on building bridges between peoples, cultures and continents. Whenever I perform, I strive to be attuned to people’s hearts and and understand them. I know the world’s people need re-connection with themselves and Mother Nature to survive. I use my music and art to educate, elevate, mentor, and heal.
- Natu Camara
BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS THAT DIVIDE, THROUGH MUSIC A discussion on how independent artists from developing countries get by in developed countries. Topics include integration, language barriers, music culture and exile. Strategies for artists to create real opportunities and make a name in the world.
RISE ABOVE THE WATER Mentor / Uplift / Inspire Master Class for young audiences: What mentorship means to a child? How can we prepare them for the unknown “real” world?
AFRICAN RHYTHM An Educational Master Class for any age focusing on West African drumming, singing, clapping and dancing rhythmically, followed by short personal stories.
FACE TO FACE WITH NATU Get to know Natu. Natu explains her history and artistic process, shares upcoming projects with a Q&A.
OVERCOMING OPPRESSION Meet the young woman who was not allowed to speak up but will never stop speaking up about young women’s rights. Discussion includes female mutilation, arranged marriages, weddings with minors followed by music improvisations involving the entire class.
MEL PULJIC mel@awesomecompany.net MIRANDA LANGE miranda@awesomecompany.net
ARTIST GALLERY
Photo by Jamie Ambler
MATTHEW ALBECK GUITAR
Photo by Jamie Ambler
Photo by Jamie Ambler
OSCAR (AMOS) DEBE DRUMS
KAYODE KUTI BASS
ARTIST GALLERY
Photo by Joey Corsica
GIANNI MANO
PERCUSSION (CONGAS, DJEMBE)
Photo by Martin Cohen
SHAVIT PRINCE BACKING VOCALS
MARIUS VAN DEN BRINK KEYS
OUR SUPPORTERS
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council. Harlem Stage’s Programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.”
ABOUT HARLEM STAGE Harlem Stage is the performing arts center that bridges Harlem’s cultural legacy to contemporary artists of color and dares to provide the artistic freedom that gives birth to new ideas. For nearly 40 years our singular mission has been to perpetuate and celebrate the unique and diverse artistic legacy of Harlem and the indelible impression it has made on American culture. We provide opportunity, commissioning, and support for artists of color, make performances easily accessible to all audiences, and introduce children to the rich diversity, excitement, and inspiration of the performing arts. We fulfill our mission through commissioning, incubating, and presenting innovative and vital work that responds to the historical and contemporary conditions that shape our lives and the communities we serve.
Board of Directors Courtney F. Lee-Mitchell, President Jamie Cannon, Vice President Michael Young, Secretary Mark Thomas, Treasurer Neal Baer Stefany Bergson Angela Glover Blackwell
JoAnn K. Chase Patricia Cruz Hugh Dancy and Claire Danes Trevor Gale Jenette Kahn LaChanze Sapp-Gooding Tamara Tunie
Administration Staff Patricia Cruz, Artistic Director & CEO MANAGEMENT Eric Oberstein, Managing Director DEVELOPMENT Shamar Hill, Director of Development Shanté Skyers, Associate Director of Development Julia Marrero, Development Associate MARKETING Deirdre May, Senior Director of Digital Content and Marketing Andre Padayhag, Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer BOX OFFICE Daniel Im, Box Office Manager PRODUCTION Amanda K. Ringger, Director of Production Orlando Alvarado, Audio Engineer David Barrett, Deck Ernest Bryant, Deck Audio Clarence Taylor, Lighting Yolanda Royster, Stage Manager OPERATIONS Rodney Bissessar, Director of Operations Lamont Askins, Operations Assistant Acey Anderson Sr., Maintenance
ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE Ncheng LLC, Accountants/Advisors Michelle Blankenship, Principal Aaron Lam, Supervising Senior Accountant CONSULTANTS Aon/Albert G. Ruben Company (NY) Claudia Kaufman, Insurance Digital Video Services—BriGuel Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, P.C. —Lisa Davis Itelagen, IT Consultant Lutz & Carr/Chris Bellando, Accountants Madison Consulting Group, —Matt Laurence Manchester Benefits—Greg Martin Marc Millman Photography Digital Video Services —Jess Medenbach PR Canvas Public Relations & Marketing RL Stein Group—Robyn L. Stein Development Consultant The Whelan Group Incorporated —Charles Whelan USHERS Toma Carthen, Nobar Deleon, Katie Duran, David Pierce, Chloe Wilson, Robert Gibbons