The stunning Speigeltent has been host to many a unique event in its time and none more so than this insight into a rarely heard side of world music.
Aria nominated singer-songwriter Kerri Simpson has combined with Master Drummer Ray Pereira to produce a one off concert event which will feature material from their award winning albums “Vodou, Songs of the Spirits”and “Sun Gonna Shine”. Utilising contemporary and traditional techniques the pair will take listeners on a journey traversing back across the centuries through the blues, field chants and spirituals of the American Deep South into the mysterious and much maligned sacred Vodou music of Haiti to the ancient heartbeat of Africa.

Kerri Simpson, the woman Bruce Elder from the Sydney Morning Herald dubbed as “Australia's own blues diva”, was paying her blues and gospel dues in New Orleans long before the styles became popular in the Antipodes. After writing and recording songs for her “Vodou, Songs of the Spirits”album with a host of local musicians she was invited to perform with them at the city’s legendary ”Jazz and Heritage Festival". Later, the album which utilised over one hundred musicians from every corner of the globe and rare samples of Vodou rituals which Kerri recorded on location, won Rhythms magazine’s world music album of the year.

In 2005 she won the national female blues performer of the year award with her gospel song "We will fly away" which she co-wrote in New Orleans with Jason Neville and Norman Caesar. This led Radio WRMN Chicago to present a special showcase on her wealth of original and roots material saying .”Kerri Simpson sings the blues like Kerri Simpson not imitating but initiating, singing from the heart. Whatever genre of music Kerri places her vocal abilities in she mixes all she’s absorbed in her life and musical experiences and develops her own unique sound which comes straight from her soul.”

Throughout her long career she has continued to work and record with Ray Pereira, who like Kerri learnt his trade from the grass roots up. No stranger to Adelaide audiences, Ray served his apprenticeship working his way across Cuba to New York and Africa where he continues to work and tour with Tettey Tetteh and the Kundun ensemble. Much of his study has been in West Africa where he participated and played in ceremonies which are the forerunners of modern Haitian Vodou ritual.
With all the world music happening around Adelaide over summer don’t miss the only opportunity to hear these two accomplished artists perform this rare and beautiful music.
The only time or place to hear it!
The Famous Speigeltent , Friday March 10, 6.30 pm