US singer China Moses delivered a captivating performance in Riyadh as part of Fenaa Alawwal’s Safar Nights concert series. Accompanied by her band members Jerome Cornelis, Lawrence Insula, Tom Lartigue, and Ebow “Lox” Mensah, Moses impressed the audience with her vocals, original compositions, and heartfelt moments. She expressed her joy and gratitude for the warm reception from the crowd, describing the experience as a choir and feeling like a family.
During her performance, Moses sang her popular tracks, including “Etre la-bas,” and entertained the audience with improvised tunes. She paid tribute to artists like Tina Turner, Al Green, Chaka Khan, and Whitney Houston by covering their songs. Moses also addressed various subjects through her music, such as life, love, social encounters, pain, loneliness, and contemporary societal issues like mass shootings.
As the daughter of renowned jazz singer and actress Dee Dee Bridgewater, Moses incorporates different genres into her repertoire, including blues, rhythm and blues, soul, and funk. She sees jazz as a music of freedom, reflecting her Black American heritage and the struggles faced by her ancestors. Moses aims to uplift her audience and leave them with feelings of joy and hope.
Moses highlighted the connection between jazz and blues, emphasizing that they originated from the same people who attended church. She explained that understanding the significance of Black American society, the importance of the church, and the complexity of jazz and blues is crucial for appreciating the music fully.
Saudi Arabia has recently played host to prominent artists such as Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, and Chaka Khan, showcasing its growing music scene. Moses expressed her belief in the power and universality of Black American music, noting that artists like Alicia Keys share a common message expressed in different ways.
Reflecting on her own journey, Moses advised rising talents in the Saudi music scene to stay true to themselves and not be afraid to communicate with their audience. She emphasized that whether through spoken word or sung word, the important thing is to make the best use of one’s talents and find beauty within oneself.
