The desert landscape of the US Southwest is one of my favorite places. I love the big sky and the colorful sunsets, the strange plants and the spicy tacos. It always feels like a vacation when I have a show out west, and I feel lucky when opportunities come up that bring me there. I'm so excited to be invited to Austin, Texas by Eric Johnson and my husband Mike to add some n'goni and some vocals to their upcoming duo album on Concord Records. Last month I worked on three songs with them, and we'll see what this week has in store for me on today's trip. I'm glad all those many hours of practice on the n'goni paid off...
...which will bring me to my other desert home of West Africa. After Texas and its spicy Texmex cuisine, my tastebuds will have a jolt enjoying the Senegalese food I've come to love so much when I visit Dakar next week. My bandmates Alioune Faye and Mamadou Ba are both from Senegal and show me a wonderful time whenever we travel to their homeland. I'm excited to be returning to the great club Just 4 You next weekend. A far trip from Austin but just as hip and full of spice and open skies.