SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2009, at 7 PM

Media Sponsor: KCRW

The annual KCRW World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl kicks off on Sunday, June 21, at 7p.m., with Afrobeat pioneer Femi Kuti and his group The Positive Force, joined by dancehall queen Santigold and soul man Raphael Saadiq, who both make their Hollywood Bowl debuts. KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad hosts.

Not content merely to follow in the footsteps of his famous father – the legendary Fela Kuti – Femi Kuti continues to push the boundaries of Afrobeat into the 21st century. His performance at the Hollywood Bowl marks the midway point of his extensive North American tour. Kuti’s performance will feature material from his first studio album of new material in seven years, the acclaimed Day by Day. “Expect Femi Kuti & the Positive Force to offer their own compelling take on the vigorously rhythmic, melodically engaging and irresistibly body-moving Afrobeat sounds pioneered by this father,” states the Los Angeles Times. Femi Kuti & the Positive Force deliver “one of the best live shows on the planet” adds JamBand.

Since the debut of her self-titled 2008 album, fans and critics alike agree that Santi White is irresistibly different from anyone else around. Her familiarity with drawing relevant and enjoyable work from a range of influences makes her a unique figure on today’s musical landscape. Rolling Stone remarks, “Santogold ultimately sounds like her own damn movement.” Santigold, as she is now known, makes her Bowl debut sharing the bill with Femi Kuti, one of her many inspirations.

Raphael Saadiq broke through the American mainstream as a member of multi-platinum R&B innovators Tony! Toni! Tone!, is a Grammy-winning producer who has worked with a roster of superstars including Mary J. Blige, D’Angelo, Earth, Wind & Fire, John Legend, Joss Stone and Macy Gray, and has released two solo studio albums that have received eight Grammy nominations between them, including a record setting five for his Instant Vintage debut in 2002 – the most nominations ever for an independent release – and three for 2008’s The Way I See It – Best R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group. A modern-day blend of ‘60s soul and R&B’s old-school roots, NPR’s “World Café” hailed The Way I See It as one of 2008’s Top 10 CDs, a sentiment that was echoed in year-end awards ranging from iTunes to Rolling Stone. The accolades only further heightened Saadiq’s respect amongst his peers, where his collaborations have included Whitney Houston, Snoop Dog, QTip, Ledisi, The Isley Brothers, Erykah Badu, The Roots and Kelis.

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and is home to the best and brightest in all genres of music. The 2004 season introduced audiences to a revitalized Hollywood Bowl, featuring a newly-constructed shell and stage and the addition of four stadium screens enhancing stage views in the venue. To this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's concerts. While the Bowl is best known for its sizzling summer nights, during the day California's youngest patrons enjoy "SummerSounds: Music for Kids at the Hollywood Bowl," the Southland's most popular summer arts festival for children, now in its 42nd season. In January 2009, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row at the 20th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards; the Bowl's summer music festival has become as much a part of a Southern California summer as beaches and barbecues, the Dodgers, and Disneyland.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2009, at 7 PM

HOLLYWOOD BOWL, 2301 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood



KCRW World Festival



FEMI KUTI & THE POSITIVE FORCE

SANTIGOLD

RAPHAEL SAADIQ



Garth Trinidad, host



Media Sponsor: KCRW

Tickets ($27 - $98) are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (Tuesday–Saturday, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.), or by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Groups of 10 or more may be eligible for a 20% discount, subject to availability; call 323.850.2050 for further details or group sales. For general information or to request a brochure, call 323.850.2000.

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