- International Singer and Songwriter Makes Her U.S. Television Debut on PBS - The stunning, internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Ayo, poised to become the next artist to charm a U.S. audience, makes her PBS debut when her concert special AYO LIVE IN MONTE CARLO airs as part of the December 2007 pledge drive (check local listings) on PBS. Ayo joins a respected roster of artists, such as Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli and Michael Buble, who have been introduced to a U.S. audience through PBS. Filmed in front of an audience at the famous Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo on August 31, Ayo performs songs from her debut album, Joyful, and welcomes special guests Laurent Korcia, one of France's leading young classical violin stars, and Les Solistes de Monte Carlo, the string section of the Monte Carlo Symphony Orchestra, directed by conductor Jean-Louis Dedieu. Already a multi-platinum seller in Europe, Ayo's soulful, stirring debut CD, Joyful (produced by Grammy award-winner Jay Newland, who has worked with Norah Jones), was released in Europe to rave reviews, earning top billing across the continent, including her current home market of France, where the album went double-platinum and is still in the top 10 after more than a year -- and platinum or gold in such diverse markets as Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Korea and Australia. Joyful is scheduled for release in the United States on November 20 on Interscope Records. Ayo is a gifted singer, songwriter and guitarist whose vocal style and poignant lyrics have invited comparisons to Joan Armatrading, Ben Harper, Otis Redding and Tracy Chapman. Born to a Nigerian father and a Roma mother, Ayo grew up under difficult circumstances in Germany, started her career in Paris and London and was discovered in New York, where she was signed by Universal. AYO LIVE IN MONTE CARLO also highlights Ayo's meeting with Monaco's Princess Stephanie; the two share stories about their involvement in various children's causes around the world. Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS.
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