International singer-songwriter, actor and activist ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO joined nine-time GRAMMY winning bassist and composer CHRISTIAN McBRIDE for the RALPH PUCCI 9th Annual Jazz Set, The Lowdown: Conversations with Christian® on March 6, 2025. The evening benefited JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, the nationally-acclaimed nonprofit that uses the power and legacy of jazz to give young people an artistic edge, providing access to world-class arts education and live performances, no matter what their financial constraints.
Angélique Kidjo—an electrifying artist who usually graces grand stages across the globe – brought her dynamic presence to an intimate evening at Ralph Pucci International in New York City, set against the iconic backdrop of Frank Stewart’s masterful jazz photography.
“I don't need to tell you how special Angélique Kidjo is, and what a force of nature she is,” said McBride. “If you've ever seen the great Angélique Kidjo live in concert, she's like the human tornado. She just swoops everybody up with her energy and her musicality.”
The evening hit one high note after another, delivering Kidjo’s powerful message of joy and respect. While introducing her song “Kelele,” Kidjo explained: “This song is about education. When you have the luck to go to a good school, and you have a degree, you can find a future. But for a child to be educated, it takes a whole village. And this song is to thank people who believe in investing in education, because with education we create a better world for all.”
In front of an intimate audience of 200, Kidjo and McBride delivered inspirational performances of some of Kidjo’s other hits like “Choose Love,” “Bemba Colorá,” and “Afirika,” alongside renditions of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime.” Kidjo gave a special recognition to her long time collaborator and founding member of Talking Heads, David Byrne who was in the audience.
Students from JAZZ HOUSE Montclair’s Blue Notes Choir, the Soulful Voices Choir from JAZZ HOUSE NYC, and members of Kidjo’s band accompanied her and McBride for much of the performance, getting the audience on their feet for several songs. McBride once again proved why he is not only one of the most in-demand artists of his time—seamlessly bridging genres—but also a highly sought-after host.
Funds raised from this one-night-only event enable the JAZZ HOUSE to continue offering life-changing opportunities for all students from diverse backgrounds, strengthening its tuition assistance programs, expanding work in underserved schools, and supporting the growth of programs for career development, CHiCA Power and access to transportation, private lessons instruments for young people who would be sitting on the sidelines.
“When Christian and I were thinking about this evening, we wanted an artist to speak to the values that this organization was built on,” said JAZZ HOUSE founder + president Melissa Walker. “And Angélique, you answer that call, crossing all borders. You are about unity, harmony, and love. And we join you in choosing love.”
Each year, Ralph Pucci transforms the 30,000 square-foot New York art and design gallery into a jazz club, and JAZZ HOUSE Artistic Director Christian McBride invites a special guest to perform and converse with him for a truly unique and intimate musical evening. Angélique Kidjo is the latest icon to have performed at the annual event, now in its ninth year, with past artists including Sting, Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Laurie Anderson, Gregory Porter, John Pizzarelli, and Esperanza Spalding.
“This event has come a long way,” said Pucci. “Nine years ago when we did our first one, Melissa and I did the chairs, and Christian did the sound check. So it's come a long, long way, raising over $2.5M since we began our jazz evenings in support of providing access to music education for kids which is pretty incredible. Thank you to everybody who supported this effort.”
