The Négritude Association is in the process of planning activities for the Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres 2013 [World Festival of Black Arts 2013], to be held this year in Martinique for the centennial celebration of the birth of Aimé Césaire (1913-2013). Preliminary activities include a concert by the renowned Martinican jazz pianist, Michel Sardaby, to be held at 8:00pm on Monday, April 12, 2010, at The Atrium, Aimé Césaire Hall in Fort-de-France, Martinique.

Michel Sardaby is considered by the experts as one of the most accomplished pianists in the world. He made a career in Europe, the United States, and Japan. This performance will offer the audience “a rare moment of quality [music], with solo and trio performances.

Tickets will be on sale at Prodisia (36, rue Victor Sévère, Fort-de-France; Telephone: 05 96 63 64 16); at Symphonie Antilles (Patio de Cluny;Telephone : 05 96 60 64 54); L’Atrium (starting on March 29) ; and at music schools.

The first edition of the World Festival of Black Arts took place in Dakar in 1966, under the patronage of UNESCO and the active support of the journal Présence Africaine. It was a key moment for the Négritude movement developed by the then Senegalese President Léopold Sedar Senghor (with Aimé Césaire and Leon-Gontran Damas); Senegal appeared as one of the leaders of new black culture. Its impact is still evident today on the African art scene and many events continue this legacy.

For original article (in French), see http://martinique.coconews.com/actualite-martinique,concert-de-michel-sardaby,558.html

Listen to the Michel Sardaby Trio perform “I’m Free Again” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-wLRnRsVmo