The Wheaton College Jazz Band performs R&B and soul music from the 60’s and 70’s. Opening for the Jazz Band is Phat Police, a student lead ensemble under the direction of Jeff Cashen. Phat Police pick out and arrange all their own material with styles ranging from pop to jazz to funk, with an occasional original composition.
Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with fifteen albums to her name. Kidjo’s creative power is palpable through the beauty and strength of her voice, her music and movement, visual aesthetic, linguistic prowess and enormous advocacy work that serves so many. Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America. Yet her love for collaboration inspires musical fusions and partnering with gifted musicians from across the globe. Angelique also advocates on behalf of children as a UNICEF and OXFAM Ambassador. She created her own charitable foundation, Batonga, dedicated to support the education of young girls in Africa.