6

MONDAY

Laurent Bizot dreamed one night that Senegal native and singer Julia Sarr recorded an album with French flamenco guitarist Patrice Larose. Being a producer, Bizot was able to make his dream come true. Set Luna is not a forced worldbeat fusion but a laid-back jam that blends the skills of two performers previously known as studio musicians: Sarr has spent the past decade in Paris warbling lush cafe-pop and rhythmic African backing vocals, while Larose has been dabbling in Brazilian samba and jazz. Set Luna can be a little Starbucks-soundtrack smooth at times, but when Sarr adds some grit to her exquisite mezzo soprano, and percussionists aid Larose’s guitar, cuts like “Namana” and “Set Luna Djamonodji” move out of the background—and Bizot’s wee-hours musings come brilliantly to life. Sarr and Larose perform at 7:30 p.m. at the French Embassy’s La Maison Française, 4101 Reservoir Road NW. $15. (202) 944-6090. (Steve Kiviat)