Peter One Returns To Spotlight With New Fusion Project ‘Come Back To Me’

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Peter One. Photo: Angelina Castillo

Peter One, a 67 year old country-folk musician originally from the Cote d’Ivoire now living in Nashville, is releasing his major label solo debut Come Back To Me today (May 5).

The album marks his return to music nearly 30 years after he was a star in his home country. At the age of retirement, Peter One is boldly embarking on his second act and returning to his first passion—music—after years of working as a nurse.

Come Back To Me is a multi-lingual blend of afropop, 70s-influenced country and folk, featuring a blend of sounds from an artist who has been on a most unique life journey. The heartfelt collection of folk songs sung in English, French and Guro shares tales of painful divorce, love and loss, as well as reflection on concepts of the healing power of music, diaspora, immigration and home.

Originally from the Cote d’Ivoire, Peter One was once a star in West Africa, as one half of a duo—alongside his writing partner Jess Sah Bi—who created a seminal folk album Our Garden Needs Its Flowers in 1985. The album gained momentum across the region, and found Peter performing his music for presidents, first ladies, adoring sold-out crowds, and even soundtracking the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990 as shown on the BBC.

He moved to the U.S. in the ’90s due to political unrest in his home country and suffering political persecution for creating the Ivory Coast’s first musicians union, as well as an attempt to pursue his music career stateside. However, due to cost of living, he was forced to switch jobs and has been working in relative obscurity as a nurse first in Delaware, then Tennessee, for the better part of 20 years, until now.

Back in full form, Peter One will perform Saturday night (May 6) at Nashville’s The Blue Room at Third Man Records, and at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 16 opening for Gipsy Kings. The legendary Newport Folk Festival also recently announced Peter One as part of its lineup this summer.

Come Back To Me Track List:
Cherie Vico
Kavudu
Ejie
Staring Into The Blues
Sweet Rainbow
On My Own
La Petite
Joue-Moi Le Piano
Bonne Annee ft. Jess Sah Bi
Birds Go Die Out of Sight ft. Allison Russell

Lorie Hollabaugh
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