She opened with Soldier of Love and encored with Cherish The Day, and every song in between was a hit. Sade performed Tuesday night at the Sprint Center after being absent from the stage for over 10 years. Her opening act was the talented singer/pianist John Legend.
Helen Folasade Udu, commonly known as Sade, was born in Nigeria in 1959 to a economics teacher and a nurse. When her parents' marriage ended, Sade moved with her mother and brother, Banji, to England.
Sade's first album, Diamond Life, debuted in 1984. Her other albums include Promise, Stronger Than Pride, Love Deluxe, Lovers Rock, and Soldier of Love. Her music is an intoxicating blend of smooth jazz and soulful R&B.
Music was not Sade's first choice of career, but rather fashion. She studied as St. Martin's School of Art.
Her longtime band mates include Stuart Matthewman on sax and guitar, Paul Denman on bass, and Andrew Hale on keyboards.
Some of the night's set list: King of Sorrow, Sweetest Taboo, Your Love Is King, Hang On To Your Love, Nothing Can Come Between Us, Is It A Crime, Paradise (favorite), Love Is Stronger Than Pride, Jezebel, No Ordinary Love, Kiss of Life, and By Your Side, Love Is Found, In Another Time, Bring Me Home, All About Our Love, Morning Bird, The Moon And Sky, and Pearls. It was 'no ordinary night.'
