Mahotella Queens and Angelique Kidjo

Our penultimate night at the Vienne Jazz Festival and it is Mother Africa night. The Mahotella Queens have been together since 1964 and the three remaining members have a combined age of over 190! However their pulsating rhythmic set blew away all the years and they performed as though teenagers at their first party! With a small band (Guitar, Drums, Keyboards) their songs and dancing made a wonderful spectacle, and all too soon they were gone.

The second half of the evening featured a homage to Miriam Makeba by Angelique Kidjo and guests - Through interspersed narration it highlighted events and moments from Miriams life and featured her best known songs.

The two narrators (above) Angelique (below)

Sayon Bamba

Vusi Mahlasela

Rokia Traore

Baaba Maal

Asa

So to tonight our last night at this wonderful festival and what better way to end than Diana Krall and her husband Elvis Costello!

Mart'nalai and Carlinhos Brown

Brasil night in the main arena and a capacity crowd (7000+) all ready for some Samba and Bossa Nova to dance the night away to.

The two shows did not disappoint the fans - with the front seats removed and plenty of room for dancing the whole crowd were in carnival mood. Earlier in the evening the parade around town featuring the 'Haricots Noirs' (black beans) a samba group from Lyon had led the way up to the antique theatre in great style.

Mart'nalai (reminding me visually of Joan Armatrading) sang a set of songs in exuberant style, jigging around the stage making use of every inch of space.

Carlinhos, of course, is a born showman and a darling of the new Brazilian music scene, his reggae/rock tinged music is instantly infectious and danceable - he himself leaps all over the stage, the pit and eventually the audience - who of course love him to bits and sing along all to all of his songs.

A great show to watch, photograph and to be part of - enjoy the photos which are in the order they were taken in so you can follow the show!

A night these kids will never forget!

Photographer Emra Islak gets into part mood!

Tonight's show promises another party atmosphere with the Mahotella Queens and Angelique Kidjo - It's African night!!