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Leila Adu Rediscovers New Zealand in Month-Long Homecoming Tour

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Leila Adu
New Zealand - Singer/Composer/Performer Leila Adu proves that you can go home again with her first New Zealand tour in 5 years. Adu an artist of Ghanaian and British descent has produced three critically acclaimed albums, written for and sung with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, toured and received radio play around the globe. This upcoming tour that runs for a month beginning April 8 is Leila Adu's opportunity to give the homeland an upclose and personal experience in her growth as an international artist.

Adu is traveling to support her most recent album, “Dark Joan," that was produced with analog fervor by the great Steve Albini (Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Joanna Newsom). The record is cited as being “cryptic, edgy, oscillating between serious commentary and flippant experimentation." Her New Zealand tour will find her excitedly playing venues in Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerstown North and Auckland. She will be supported in her unique blend of jazz, blues, pop and experimental by some of the great names of the New Zealand music scene including Jeff Henderson, David Long, Nick Gaffaney and Chris O'Conner. When asked about why this current New Zealand tour is so important Adu states “I get to play with some of my favorite musicians. I was born on British soil but New Zealand is my home. What does that mean? I have two passports. What does that mean? There's sometimes this feeling of being from nowhere - yet, having deep heart connections in New Zealand, Africa and England is the general existentialist crisis that forms the background of most of my work. I've had a whole life of people asking 'Where are you from?' Now I get to be welcomed-I dig that." She smiles and adds “I'm also really looking forward to some quiet times by the sea with my Mum."

Leila Adu has been hailed as an artist who is “a rebel inspirer." This special New Zealand tour is a major showcase for her unique command of dissonant chords, catchy melodies, poignant lyrics and powerful vocals. This is a great opportunity to catch an artist at the height of her powers. Who knows when Adu will be coming home again?

Thursday, 8 Apr 2010, 9pm
CHRISTCHURCH
The NZ International Jazz & Blues Festival
Leila Adu & Nick Gaffaney
The Bedford (R18)
Cnr Bedford Row/ Madras Street
Book Tickets

Sunday, 2 May 2010
WELLINGTON
Leila Adu feat. David Long, Jeff Henderson & Chris O'Connor
Crown Julz & the 24 Carats
The San Francisco Bathhouse
171 Cuba Street

Wednesday, 5 May 2010, 6pm
PALMERSTON NORTH
Sound and Vision Series Solo Concert
Palmerston North City Library
4 The Square

Friday, 7 May 2010, 8.30pm
AUCKLAND
Leila Adu feat. Chris O'Connor
Jenny Lange & Dean Roberts
The Winecellar
St. Kevins Arcade, 183 K' Rd, lower level

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