I first met Youssou N’Dour a couple years ago at the Telluride Film Festival for the premier of “I Bring What I Love”, a documentary about Youssou and the making of his acclaimed Egypt album. Meeting Youssou N’Dour, you realize right away you are in the presence of both a kind of musical royalty and a highly evolved being. He is a gentle soul, but powerful statesman – using his incredible music and undeniable spirit to bring hope and justice to the people of Africa and joy to millions of people around the world. As Rolling Stone Magazine put it: Youssou is “a singer with a voice so extraordinary that the history of Africa seems to be locked inside it”.
I got to see Youssou again recently at one of the most amazing musical performances I have ever witnessed at the Hollywood Bowl. It was very clear to me that night that there was a level of mastery in music and in spirit that rises high above most of the musical performances we get to enjoy. It was immediately clear why Youssou is one of Senegal’s greatest musical gifts to the world. What was so amazing, and even unexpected to me, was the incredible dancing. Every one of his musicians danced like they were born dancing. The combination of Youssou’s radiant personality, his glorious voice, the killer band and the colorful dancing created an evening filled with joy and inspiration.
