http://www.wfmu.org/world
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Transpacific Sound Paradise
Popular and Unpopular Music from Around the World
With Rob Weisberg on WFMU
New York / Northern NJ World Music Events Listings
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"Transpacific Sound Paradise" can be heard Saturdays 6-9pm New York / New Jersey time
on WFMU 91.1 FM in the New York Metropolitan area / 90.1 in New York's Hudson Valley.
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To submit an event to be listed on this page, send an email to Rob here and please include the word EVENTS in the subject line.
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To be added to the TSP email list for notification of upcoming special guests, Barbes remotes and other
show-related news send an email to Rob here and please include the word LIST in the subject line.
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Listen to WFMU’s Transpacific Sound Paradise past shows any time (and see corresponding playlists):
http://www.wfmu.org/Playlists/Robw
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Visit the Transpacific Sound Paradise homepage for info on upcoming shows, recent specials etc: http://www.wfmu.org/tsp.
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A listing of NY metro area summer concert series websites (and some series and festivals outside New York) is here: http://tinyurl.com/wfmu-world-summer-series
Work-in-progress: A directory of clubs and other venues / presenters that feature at least some "world" music: http://tinyurl.com/wfmu-world-clubs
Other Concert Listing Pages
Africasounds (Africa in NYC): http://www.africasounds.com/concerts.htm
Afropop Worldwide NYC concert listings via http://www.afropop.org/
Brazilian music in NYC: http://www.brazilny.org/cultural/boletip.htm
Brazil Society calendar: http://www.braziliansociety.org/call/default.asp
Brooklyn live venues (especially small / indie) from GO Brooklyn: http://www.go-brooklyn.com/index.html?html/venues/nightlife.html
Dirty Linen state-by-state (folk/world): http://www.dirtynelson.com/linen/special/bystate1.html
Flamenco in New York:
http://www.flamencomania.com/NYC.html
HarmoNYom - Indian Classical events: http://www.harmonyom.org/concerts__events
Indian/South Asian dance parties and shows in NYC, NJ and beyond: http://www.desiparty.com
Live is Better - Indian / South Asian concerts in North America, listed by artist: http://www.liveisbetter.com/artists/
Merengue tipico and bachata venues for weekly events: http://www.iasorecords.com/index.cfm?subsecid=100
NYC Folk Dance: Balkan and East European music and dance in NYC including periodic Balkan Cafe concerts at Hungarian house: http://nycfolkdance.org/
New York Led: Free concerts in NYC: http://www.newyorkled.com/nyc_events_Free_Concerts.htm
NY Remezcla: Hip and rootsy Latin-tinged happenings: http://www.nyremezcla.com/
World Music Institute (WMI - presenters of world traditional concerts) calendar:
http://www.worldmusicinstitute.org
NYC Cool Music Listings: General page, but lots of free, less-publicized events.
http://newyorkcool.com/listings/music.html
WFMU’s Arbitrary Guide to Popular Culture (Music of all types):
http://www.wfmu.org/arbguide.php
Upcoming NYC Area Concerts
All events take place in New York City, borough of Manhattan unless indicated. Any copy in italics is courtesy of program presenters or artists.
Important: Confirm all dates / times with the venues – there may be errors, or changes not reflected in this calendar (follow the web links!)
Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: World Music Institute presents Yasmin Levy. 8:30 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
Israel’s Yasmin Levy, a rising star in world music circles, is noted for her deeply spiritual and moving renditions of songs from her Judeo-Spanish heritage. A respected ambassador of Ladino, the ancient language of the Sephardic Jews that is now facing extinction, she follows in the footsteps of her father, Yitzhak Levy, a prominent figure in the research and preservation of Sephardic culture. Her program, which includes selections from her new CD Mano Suave (4Q Records), features Sephardic classics - music dating from 15th-century Andalusia, Morocco and Turkey, as well as self-penned songs inspired by her heritage and experiences, drawing on influences from many parts of the Mediterranean.
SOBS, 204 Varick St: Waguinho Do Cavaco / Charlles Andre with the group Nova Favela. http://www.sobs.com
Now based in the Miami, Brazilian multi-instrumentalist / multi-stylist Waguinho has performed with many accomplished musicians, including Zeca Pagodinho, Beth Carvalho, Dona Ivone Lara during his 20 year career. His grand project has been the establishment of a music school for underprivileged kids, Truque de Samba back home in the Rocinha favela, the largest slum neighborhood in Rio.
Nov 8 (Sun)
Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16 St: Warsaw Village Band. 8pm. http://www.highlineballroom.com in conjunction with World Music Institute http://www.worldmusicinstitute.org
Poland’s Warsaw Village Band, with its invigorating rhythms and haunting cutting-edge vocals combined with the szuka (knee-violin), cello, dulcimer, hurdygurdy and bababan drum, is one of the hottest new groups in the world music scene. Redefining Polish village music with intensity and high energy, the band showcases the raw sound it refers to as “radical roots style” and “roots music from the ancient to the future.”
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St: Min Xiao Fen's Blue Pipa Trio explores winter themes in sizhu music. Part of the series Silk and Bamboo Sundays. Museum info: http://www.mocanyc.org/; presented in collaboration with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org. Daytime event: 3:30 pm.
CTMD and the Museum of Chinese in America present Four Seasons of Sizhu: Silk and Bamboo Sundays, a series of educational performances for children and families by New York's finest Chinese musical ensembles. Today's program, "Winter," features Min Xiao-Fen and Her Blue Pipa Trio exploring winter themes in sizhu music, with a focus on the pipa (pear-shaped Chinese lute) and some of the oldest and newest pieces composed for this two-thousand year old instrument. All ages welcome, concert is free with Museum entrance fee.
Min Xiao-Fen is internationally known for her virtuosity and fluid style. A soloist and composer, she has received high acclaim for her classical, new music and jazz performances. She learned the pipa from her father, Min Ji-Qian, a professor and pipa master at Nanjing University. At age 17, she was chosen by the famed Nanjing Traditional Music Orchestra of China and became a pipa soloist for more than ten years. She also won first prize at the Jiangsu national pipa competition and eventually become a first class artist in China. She has been a featured soloist with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Pacific Symphony and the San Diego Symphony.
Lehman Center, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, the Bronx: Festivali Shqiptar - Albanian Festival. Note early start time: 6 - 10 pm. See: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151288789505&ref=mf. Created in conjunction with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org
CTMD worked with a number of artists and cultural advocates to found the festival. Each year, the event draws thousands of community members alongside members of the general public and showcases the rich talent of New York's large Albanian community.
Hungarian House, 212 E 82 St: Harmonia Band - East European music via Cleveland, Ohio. Early start time: 5:30 pm. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/86721
From Hungary to Romania to Croatia **Harmonia Band** delivers the intense, driving, lyrical roots music of Eastern Europe in the Gypsy and Slavic traditions. Featuring Alexander Fedoriouk - cimbalom, Steven Greenman - violin, Walt Mahovlich - accordion, clarinet, Brano Brinarsky - bass, fujara, gajdice & vocals.
Nov 9 (Mon)
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St: Suphala - original music for tabla - known for her electronic hybrids but here in an acoustic setting with cello, violin, clarinet and saxophone. http://lepoissonrouge.com/
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Pierre de Gaillande sings George Brassens early; Chicha Libre plays classic chicha / cumbia at a little later. This double bill repeats most if not all Mondays in November; confirm bill and show times w/ venue http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Nov 9-12
The Blue Note, 131 W 3rd St: Brazilian vocal great Gal Costa / Romero Lubambo duo. Two shows nightly. http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml
Nov 10 (Tues)
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Slavic Soul Party - Balkan brass mayhem also Miller / Eskelin / Jones earlier. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Nov 11 (Wed)
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Mandingo Ambassadors - classic electric sounds from Guniea also Stochastic Bklyn presents Mistaken Indemnity earlier. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Irondale Center, 85 Oxford St @ Lafayette, Brooklyn: Christine Vaindirlis with Tony Cedras, Bakithi Kumalo, Anton Fig play to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Brooklyn's South African restaurant, Madiba. Info here: http://www.madibarestaurant.com/events.php
Bell House, 149 7th St at 3rd Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn: Infamous Stringdusters - rootsy Americana. 7:30 pm. Their Fork in the Road was named Album of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. http://www.thebellhouseny.com/home.php
SOBS, 204 Varick St: The Hip Hop Sulha - Jewish and Muslim rappers unite.
Performers include Israeli and Iranian rap duo Most Hated, DeScribe, spoken word artist Tahani Salah, beat boxer J. Stone, Dash Speaks, TJ Di Hitmaker, NSR and a special DJ set by Electro Morocco. 9 pm. http://www.sobs.com
Jewish and Muslim artists from the Tug of War Tour and Shemspeed will come together at New York’s SOBs at the Hip Hop Sulha.
Founded by American-Israeli producer, Diwon, The Hip Hop Sulha reinvents the concept of thetraditional Arab sulha (reconciliation) by bringing leading Jewish and Muslim hip-hop musicians together to celebrate peace and religious tolerance via the performing arts. In the past, the series has hosted Hadag Nachash, Saz, Sagol 59, and DJ Spooky to name a few. This evening will feature Chassidic Hip Hop, Reggae, and R&B, artist, DeScribe, Jamaican Dancehall artist, TJ Di Hitmaker, and NYC-based Israeli expatriates, Electro Morocco.
The Tug of War Tour is a thought-provoking and multi-dimensional artistic endeavor that explores narratives of conflict and co-existence between Muslims and Jews. The brainchild of Israeli-AmericanM.C. Sneakas and M.C. Serch (of Third Bass fame and VH1’s White Rapper Show), the tour features the controversial rap group ‘Most Hated’ (consisting of Sneakas and Muslim-Iranian rapper Mazzi), in addition to spoken word poets Vanessa Hidary and Tahani Salah (both of whom have been featured on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam).
Nov 12 (Thurs)
Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, Queens: Son de Madre. 7:30 pm; free. Presented in conjunction with the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Series http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html
This NYC-based Latin fusion band features top-notch players from all around the globe. Their versions of son, salsa, timba, cha cha, and more will have you dancing in the aisles.
Chelsea Sanctuary at Holy Apostles Church Street, 296 Ninth Avenue @ W 28th St: Isle of Klezbos, the all-female klezmer sextet led by drummer Eve Sicular play an event for Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, a synagogue for NYC’s LGBT Jews, family & friends. 7 pm - 9 pm. http://cbst.org/
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Yuri Yunakov and Avram Pengas - great Eastern European / Mediterranean music via NYC. This is a weekly gig, most Thursdays but check with the venue to make sure it's on: http://www.mehanata.com/
Nov 13 (Fri)
Carnegie Hall Zankel Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave: Sara Tavares. 8:30pm. http://www.carnegiehall.org.
An outstanding artist from the new generation of Cape Verdean performers, Portugal's singer-guitarist-composer Sara Tavares combines contemporary music with her African roots.
Bell House, 149 N 7th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Is America Part of the World? Festival II with Rupa and the April Fishes + Nation Beat. http://www.thebellhouseny.com/home.php
9:00pm Northeastern Brazil meets the American South - Brazilian Carnival meets New Orleans Mardi Gras. Fusing maracatu rhythms and forro with NOLA funk and Blues, Nation Beat captures the dance worthy grooves of Brazil and the deep American south that turn their live shows into massive carnival parties. 10:30pm: The San Francisco-based musical agitators Rupa and the April Fishes are specialists in crossing borders and building bridges, and on "Este Mundo" they effortlessly blur the boundaries of genre and geography to create a sound with international spices, mixing in elements of Gypsy swing, Colombian cumbia, French chanson and Indian ragas.
Ukrainian Museum, 222 East 6th Street, NYC (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues): Two Counterpoints is a series of two fall 2009 concerts hosted by bandurist Julian Kytasty, with violist Ron Lawrence and the Radio Banduristan Song and Dance Ensemble - this is the second: "SongDance," featuring bandurist/singer/arranger Lilia Pavlovska and dancer/choreographer Katja Kolcio. Both concerts begin at 7:00 p.m.
Produced by the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org.
The Blue Note, 131 W 3rd St: Sveti: Balkan-tinged jazz improv. Late show: 12:30 am. http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml
For over ten years SVETI has been the creative outlet for one of the most impressive and innovative drummers in the world today, the Yugoslav-born Marko Djordjevic. As the composer for SVETI, Marko writes music inspired by his Balkan roots, enriched by the "western" artists that have influenced him, from Weather Report to the Police; Zappa to Coltrane; Mahavishnu to Ani DiFranco. The best description of SVETI's sound came from a first-time audience member who remarked, "You guys are like a jam band, except you have great melodies and you can all play the hell out of your instruments!"
Hungarian House, 212 E 82 St: Ivan Milev Band. 8 pm. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/86447
Soul music from Bulgaria, they create positively mad and boundlessly enthusiastic acoustic music. A musical genius and legendary performer, accordionist Ivan Milev has been a prime ambassador of Bulgarian Folk Music for over three decades.
SOBS, 204 Varick St: Dominican vet merenguero Cuco Valoy early; Haitian pop with Carimi late. http://www.sobs.com
Cuco Valoy Popularly known as "El Brujo"--the sorcerer--the Dominican salsero and merenguero Valoy first attracted attention in the 50s in the duo Los Ahijados, with his brother Martín Valoy. Los Ahijados played son. In the 70s he formed a band, variously known as Los Virtuosos and later La Tribu, which included his son Ramón Orlando Valoy (who would become well-known in the 80s as bandleader Ramón Orlando) on piano. Valoy's music at this point was big-band son, what was now being called salsa. His hits in this genre include "Juliana" and "Nació Varón." He increasingly included into his repertoire merengue, the Dominican national music that was becoming internationally successful. In 1997 producer Sergio George recorded a version of Valoy's "Juliana" with DLG, featuring a guest spot for Valoy's distinctive voice. The song was a major Latin hit and paved the way for a mini-renaissance of Valoy's music with a new generation. Now in his 70s, he appears frequently in the New York area, his charm and talent intact.
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Grand Masters of Gypsy Music http://www.mehanata.com/
Nov 14 (Sat)
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium: Hafez Nazeri Premieres: "The Rumi Symphony". 8 pm. http://www.carnegiehall.org.
An East/West musical dialogue featuring Hafez Nazeri and his legendary father, Shahram Nazeri, with an international all-star ensemble at Carnegie Hall. The Nazeri Music Foundation debuts the world premiere of the "Rumi Symphony Project: Cycle One" this fall. The performance entitled "Iranian Sounds of Peace" will be presented by NMF in association with Absolutely Live Entertainment and the Asia Society at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, November 14 at 8:00 pm. "Iranian Sounds of Peace" is the first Iranian headlining event at this revered venue.
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St: Tzadik records mini festival with three great multi dimensional bands: Cyro Baptista's Beat the Donkey (avant / Brazil tinged) + Eyal Maoz's Edom (electric Middle Eastern tinged) + Kenny Wolleson's Wollesonic (all over the place). 7:30 pm.
Union Pool, 484 Union Avenue, corner of Union & Meeker, Brooklyn: Voodoo Funk night featuring Ikebe Shakedown and others. http://www.myspace.com/unionpool .
Ikebe Shakedown is a seven-piece instrumental juggernaut incorporating the sounds of '60s and '70s African Funk and American Soul Music. Featuring dynamic horns backed by a hard-hitting rhythm section, Ikebe Shakedown will get you out of your seat and onto the dance floor!
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Magges. http://www.mehanata.com/
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl (a/k/a "Fillmore at Irving Plaza"): Father Goose (a/k/a Rankin' Don in his grown-up persona) - bouncy kid-friendly reggae / rock-steady from this veteran of the Dan Zanes posse. Morning show for the kiddies - 10 am! http://www.irvingplaza.com/ Disclaimer: Be careful not to play any Rankin' Don tunes like "Push Up On You" for the kiddies! Stick to the "Father Goose" material (on his cd "It's a Bam Bam Diddly"). Although if your kiddies don't know what "punana" means, then it's probably okay...
Zebulon, 258 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Holden. 10:30 pm. http://www.zebuloncafeconcert.com
Holden: The French group is lead by Mocke and Armelle Pioline. They have put out three albums which have proved immensely popular in France and South America. Their last record was co-produced by Atom Heart (AKA Señor Coconut) and mixes influences as varied as Bossa Nova, french chanson and 70's songwriters and electronic music.
Calvary Vision Center, 550 East Township Line Rd., Blue Bell, PA: Indian Classical Instrumental Concert by Chitravina N Ravikiran. Presented by Sruti, http://www.sruti.org.
Nov 15 (Sun)
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St: The EastRiver Ensemble explores spring themes in sizhu music. Part of the series Silk and Bamboo Sundays. Museum info: http://www.mocanyc.org/; presented in collaboration with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org. Daytime event: 3:30 pm.
EastRiver Ensemble was established in 2000 from musicians from northern Hebei, Dongbei and Hunan regions of China. Led by the director of the Chinatown-based Mencius Society/AiCenter, Julie Tay, the Ensemble is distinguished by a gutsy approach to traditional winds, lutes and percussion of Chinese music, and by virtuosic experimentation on the yangqin zither and a passion for simple folk songs and operatic fiddles (jinghu and banhu). Combined with martial performances of Beijing opera, the group reinvents Chinese music and stagecraft to connect with the everyday American audience.
Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn - Cuartetango Music + Dance Company. Daytime event - 2 pm. http://events.cuny.edu/default.asp?CollegeId=12
They've thrilled audiences worldwide with the pulsating music, passion and desire of the nuevo tango and nearly melted the small screen on NBC's Superstars of Dance. Experience the magic and sensuality firsthand when the dancers and musicians of Cuartetango take the stage at Kingsborough.
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Sebastian Martel / Beau Catcheur / Jim Yamaroudis - new French scene at 9 pm; also New Music Sundays - David Handler at 7 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
SEBASTIEN MARTEL is a French guitarist who has played with a very wide variety of people - M, Camille, Selif Keita, Charlotte Gainsbourg and his own band, Las Ondas Marteles. He is paying us a short visit and has brought his friends with him. He will be singing a set of his own songs, and will be followed by two exceptional acts - both of which will be playing in the US for the first time.
BEAU CATCHEUR is a paris-based duo comprised of Sarah Murcia (upright bass) and Fred Poulet (vocals). We have been playing their as of yet un-released first album at barbès for the past five years without ever getting tired of it. Beau Catcheur covers French and American standards with both deadpan humor and superb musicality. Fred Poulet is a cult figure in france: a singer, songwriter and filmmaker with a definite edge. Sarah Murcia is a jazz bassist who plays with such artists as Las Ondas Marteles and Magic Malik.
JIM YAMAROUDIS. A Greek-Australian who moved to France in 2002, Jim started his career in Melbourne where he recorded two albums with Conway Savage of the Bad Seeds. Since moving to France, Jim has toured extensively with some of the country's most prominent acts and recorded two albums - the last one, Traveling Blind, was produced by Seb Martel. Jim's voice has Lenoard Cohen's depth and his dark crooning can also recall his compatriot Nick Cave but his writing is distinctly his own. His taste runs from ballads to 70's rock to Rembetika all of which he incorporates with perfect taste in his music.
Bell House, 149 7th St at 3rd Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn: Herman Dune + Julie Doiron. http://www.thebellhouseny.com/home.php
Nov 16 (Mon)
Brooklyn Public Library Ulmer Branch, 2602 Bath Ave at 26th Ave: Early evening music and dance concert with the Russian folk duo Barnya Ensemble. 6 pm, free. http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St: Tribute to the late music writer and musician Robert Palmer features Bachir Attar (known for his work with an offshoot of the original Moroccan ensemble Master Musicians of Jajouka - somewhat controversially billed under the original name) along with John Kruth, Gary Lucas, Ned Sublette, the Kropotkins, Lenny Kaye, Eric Andersen, Robert Poss. The original Master Musicians were of course one of the early examples of a "world music" entity getting hipster cred, c/o the late Brian Jones. Proceeds go to Attar's Jajouka ensemble. http://lepoissonrouge.com
The Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd: Cumbiagra plays cumbia classics at 10 pm. http://www.shrinenyc.com/schedule.php
The Blue Note, 131 W 3rd St: Burnt Sugar - the Arkestra Chamber. Two shows. http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Pierre de Gaillande sings George Brassens early; Chicha Libre plays classic chicha / cumbia at a little later. This double bill repeats most if not all Mondays in November; confirm bill and show times w/ venue http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Zebulon, 258 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Jim Yamouridis + Beau Catcher + Oren Bloedow. 9 pm. http://www.zebuloncafeconcert.com
BEAU CATCHEUR is a paris-based duo comprised of Sarah Murcia (upright bass) and Fred Poulet (vocals). We have been playing their as of yet un-released first album at barbès for the past five years without ever getting tired of it. Beau Catcheur covers French and American standards with both deadpan humor and superb musicality. Fred Poulet is a cult figure in france: a singer, songwriter and filmmaker with a definite edge. Sarah Murcia is a jazz bassist who plays with such artists as Las Ondas Marteles and Magic Malik.
JIM YAMAROUDIS. A Greek-Australian who moved to France in 2002, Jim started his career in Melbourne where he recorded two albums with Conway Savage of the Bad Seeds. Since moving to France, Jim has toured extensively with some of the country's most prominent acts and recorded two albums - the last one, Traveling Blind, was produced by Seb Martel. Jim's voice has Lenoard Cohen's depth and his dark crooning can also recall his compatriot Nick Cave but his writing is distinctly his own. His taste runs from ballads to 70's rock to Rembetika all of which he incorporates with perfect taste in his music.
Nov 17 (Tues)
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Holden. 7 pm. Slavic Soul Party - Balkan Brass mayhem at 9 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St: Calder Quartet featuring Iva Bittova plays music of Janacek and Fred Frith.
Idiosyncratic Japanese jazz-pop artist Akiko Yano recorded her debut album, “Japanese Girl”, in 1976 largely in Los Angeles with Lowell George and Little Feat. She then she straddled musical worlds, having recorded with, among many others, Swing Out Sister, Pat Metheny, The Chieftains, Lyle Mays, members of Little Feat, Ryuichi Sakamoto (her husband until their 2006 divorce), Haruomi Hosono, David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Kenji Omura, Jeff Bova, Yukihiro Takahashi, Charlie Haden, Peter Erskine, Anthony Jackson, David Rhodes, Bill Frisell, Thomas Dolby, the band Quruli, Rei Harakami as yanokami, and her daughter Miu Sakamoto. "I first encountered Akiko's music on a Japanese import in '85 - my first thought was "the Kate Bush of Japan!" - and I was a Bush fan, so I ate it up. Of course that's very one-dimensional, there's a lot more going on, but after all these years, it's still the sound of her voice that calls to me like the Sirens: irresistible!" - MannyLunch
Nov 18 (Wed)
Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium, 57th St and 7th Ave: Milton Nascimento: The Brazilian icon. 8pm. http://www.carnegiehall.org.
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St: Akiko Yano with Marc Ribot. http://lepoissonrouge.com/
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Mandingo Ambassadors - classic electric sounds from Guniea also Stochastic Bklyn presents Sweet Banditry earlier. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Nov 19 (Thurs)
SOBS, 204 Varick St: Septeto National Ignacio Piñeiro. http://www.sobs.com
Founded by Havana-born bassist and vocalist Ignacio Piniero in 1927, Septeto Nacional has played an important role in Cuba's music scene for more than seven decades. Pioneers of Son, a rhythmic blend of African and Cuban music that evolved into Salsa, the Mambo, and Latin jazz, the group was the first Son band to incorporate trumpet as a lead instrument. The group gained global recognition with their performance at the World Exposition in Seville in 1928. Septeto also hold the honor of being the first band to mention "salsa" in a song.
The group returns to the U.S. after more than a decade; this is a historic event.
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Radio Jarocho at 8 pm, also guitar phenom Matt Munisteri at 10 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Radio Jarocho performs son jarocho from southern Veracruz, Mexico. A mixture of African, indigenous and Spanish traditions, the music is a rich polyrhythmic stew which uses string instruments such as the jarana, requinto, harp and violin as well as various percussion (such as jawbones - quijadas) and a form of tap dancing called Zapateado. Like Afro-peruvian music, with which if shares some similarities, the music has experienced a renaissance in the past 20 years. Son Jarocho, based in NY, is part of a wave of young musicians who have revived the tradition.
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Yuri Yunakov and Avram Pengas - great Eastern European / Mediterranean music via NYC. This is a weekly gig, most Thursdays but check with the venue to make sure it's on: http://www.mehanata.com/
The Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd: Max Wild and Olatuja play jazz and Afrobeat at 9 pm; other artists earlier. http://www.shrinenyc.com/schedule.php
Nov 20 (Fri)
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Grand Masters of Gypsy Music http://www.mehanata.com/
Zinc Bar, 82 W 3rd St: Desination Guadeloupe festival event - GwoKa music with Francois Ladrezo (sometimes spelled Ladrezeau) and his band AlkaOmeka. Ladrezeau is a veteran of the band Akiyo and has also recorded with jazz great David Murray. http://www.zincbar.com. Festival page: http://www.destination-guadeloupefestival.com/UShome.html
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Short Brazilian films at 8 pm Gilmar Gomes & Friends at 10 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Percussion player, singer and all around multi-instrumentalist Gilmar Gomes grew up in Bahia but is now based in New York. He has toured extensively with Angelique Kidjo , Harry Belafonte, Meshell N'degeocello, Yerba Buena, Bebel Gilberto , Forro In The Dark, Carlinhos Brown and Gilberto Gil. Tonight, he leads his own band, backed by some of his friends.
SOBS, 204 Varick St: Latin music with Willie Villegas y Entre Amigos early; Haitian compas with Sweet Micky late. http://www.sobs.com
Montgomery County Community College, 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA: Spanish Harlem Orchestra - super tight vintage salsa big band sounds. http://www.mc3.edu/aboutUs/newsEvents
The 13 member Spanish Harlem Orchestra under the direction Oscar Hernandez was nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award and world acclaim as one of the finest exponents of Salsa and Latin/Jazz music. They have spearheaded a revival of Afro-Cuban music performing a classic-meets-contemporary repertoire including original compositions grounded in the musical legacy of El Barrio, the Latin Soul, and Salsa which rose from the rich culture of the New York’s Eastside south of 125th St. A salsa party will precede the performance in Science Center lobby with salsa lessons and refreshments.
Nov 21 (Sat)
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Short Brazilian films all afternoon starting at 4 pm; Pe De Serra Forro All Stars (featuring Rob Curto of Forro for All, Scott Kettner of Nation Beat and others) at 10 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Kagero. http://www.mehanata.com/
Zinc Bar, 82 W 3rd St: Desination Guadeloupe festival event with Kriyolio + Francois Ladrezo (sometimes spelled Ladrezeau). Ladrezeau is a veteran of the band Akiyo and has also recorded with jazz great David Murray. http://www.zincbar.com. Festival page: http://www.destination-guadeloupefestival.com/UShome.html
Brick's Lounge, 22 Warren St: Desination Guadeloupe festival event with Panik + Luc Leandry. Festival page: http://www.destination-guadeloupefestival.com/UShome.html
The Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd: Ansambl Mastika: Great local Balkan-inspired band from 8-10 pm (other artists earlier and later). http://www.shrinenyc.com/schedule.php
Zebulon, 258 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Kaleta and Zozo Afrobeat + Cool Places Radio DJ. 10 pm. http://www.zebuloncafeconcert.com
“Zozo,” taken from the Goun and Fon word for “something hot,” truly keeps the Afrobeat fires burning. A 13-piece ensemble from New York City, Zozo Afrobeat features musicians from around the world and is led by African music luminary Kaleta. Born in the Republic of Benin and raised in Nigeria, Kaleta grew up recording and performing with legendary Nigerian musicians Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti and King Sunny Ade, shina Peters. After moving to the U.S., Kaleta toured with akoya afrobeat and most recently with Lauryn Hill.
With Zozo Afrobeat, Kaleta’s music pays homage to the greats, and yet has its own distinctive sound and energy. Like Fela Kuti, who used his music to challenge a corrupt Nigerian government, Kaleta has written songs that are socially and politically provocative. At the same time, his lyrics reflect a keen sense of humor and a message of hope. He also co- arranged/produced New york based Akoya Afrobeat ensemble written all the bands' songs.On Zozo Afrobeat’s 2008 release, “Country of Guns,” Kaleta scatters pop culture references and marvels of a country with “250 million people and 250 billion guns.” On other songs, Kaleta sings in Yoruba, Goun, Fon, and French. He is currently working on 2 cds with 16 songs FELABRATION & AFROBEATOLOGY to be released in conjuction with his book on his former master Fela Kuti.
Nov 22 (Sun)
SOBS, 204 Varick St: Destination Guadeloupe Festival event featuring: Luc Leandry, Joelle Ursull, Joeclyne Labylle, Francois Ladrezo (sometimes spelled Ladrezeau), Kriyolio. http://www.sobs.com. Festival page: http://www.destination-guadeloupefestival.com/UShome.html
All of the aforementioned stars return to S.O.B.'s for the evening's sprawling MAIN EVENT, and to boost the energy level even higher, Luc Leandry, the King of Zouk, headlines along with the Divas of Zouk, Joëlle Ursull (known for her work with Zouk Machine and French pop provocateur Serge Gainsbourg) and the sultry Jocelyne Labylle, who has also taken France by storm. Panik's versatility will again be on display, as the dynamic ensemble handles the wide-ranging repertoires of each star. Kriyolio plays GwadaJazz, and Francois Ladrezo plays traditional GwoKa (Ladrezeau is a veteran of the band Akiyo and has also recorded with jazz great David Murray). In addition, audiences can also enjoy the native haute-cuisine of Chef Georges Césarin, who will be in the kitchen at S.O.B.'s for one night only, having made the trip all the way from the Casino de Gosier on the Guadeloupe island of Gosier.
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St: The EastRiver Ensemble explores spring themes in sizhu music. Part of the series Silk and Bamboo Sundays. Museum info: http://www.mocanyc.org/; presented in collaboration with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org. Daytime event: 3:30 pm.
EastRiver Ensemble was established in 2000 from musicians from northern Hebei, Dongbei and Hunan regions of China. Led by the director of the Chinatown-based Mencius Society/AiCenter, Julie Tay, the Ensemble is distinguished by a gutsy approach to traditional winds, lutes and percussion of Chinese music, and by virtuosic experimentation on the yangqin zither and a passion for simple folk songs and operatic fiddles (jinghu and banhu). Combined with martial performances of Beijing opera, the group reinvents Chinese music and stagecraft to connect with the everyday American audience.
Mexicali Live, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, NJ: The English Beat (really, California-based original Beat singer Dave Wakeling and friends playing English Beat repertoire) + the Waffle Stompers. http://www.mexicalilive.com/
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Stephane Wrembel's Django Experiment at 9 pm, also, probably, something, TBA @ 7 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Nov 23 (Mon)
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Pierre de Gaillande sings George Brassens early; Chicha Libre plays classic chicha / cumbia at a little later. This double bill repeats most if not all Mondays in November; confirm bill and show times w/ venue http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Nov 26
Bally's, Atlantic City DVH Music Productions Vietnamese Thanksgiving Spectacular
Featuring a cornucopia of performers including Ngoc Ha, Hoangh Thanh, Phuong Vy, Luong Chi Cuong, Thien Kim, Uyen Trang, Truong Vu, and many others. Shows at 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm.
Nov 27 (Fri)
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Grand Masters of Gypsy Music http://www.mehanata.com/
Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16 St: Forro in the Dark + Pistolera. 8pm. Two of New York's sharper southward-leaning bands share the bill, Pistolera exploring Mexican roots from a socially aware feminist perspective, and Forro in the Dark taking the rollicking accordion-driven forro dance music of NE Brazil in new directions. http://www.highlineballroom.com
Atlantic Oceana, 1029 Brighton Beach Ave, Brooklyn: Albi's Party Albanian show with Valdet Luka, Vesel Pelinku, Gezim Salaj, Sead Asllani, Hajro Ceka, Antigona Rrustolli. Info: http://www.albanianevents.com/event_details.php?id=466
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Michael Wingorad's klezmer machinations at 8 pm, Balkan brass madness with Raya Brass Band at 10 pm. http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Nov 28 (Sat)
Queens College Colden Auditorium, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, Queens: Jagjit Singh.
Considered to be the most successful ghazal singer of all time, in terms of both critical acclaim and commercial success, Jagjit Singh is accredited with bringing the ghazal genre of sung poetry, which was previously restricted to the elite classes, to the masses. Along with his wife and performing partner Chitra Singh, ghazal was taken out of the elite mehfil concert-parties and brought to public stages for general audiences. They began recording together in 1976 and their breakthrough album The Unforgettables was released in 1978.
Jagjit Singh's music direction can be seen to be pioneering in changing the sound layout by adding more Western instruments while mostly retaining the traditional orchestra, and using Hindi, Bengali and Punjabi lyrics in addition to the classical Urdu.
After the death of their 18 year old son, Vivek, in a car accident in Bombay (c1990), Chitra Singh stopped singing and retreated from the limelight. (She has since been learning and working on different forms of spirituality, and practices spiritual healing therapies.)
Today, Jagjit Singh the perfectionist, motivates himself to ever-newer musical achievement. His latest commitment is to popularize Hindi all over multi-lingual India as a connecting language that the whole country should share. In recognition of his yeoman contributions to music and literature, Jagjit was awarded the Padma Bhushan title by the government of India.
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl (a/k/a "Fillmore at Irving Plaza"): Los Amigos Invisibles. The Venezuelan - via - NYC party band just bagged its first Latin Grammy for their latest release, "Commercial". http://www.irvingplaza.com/
Los Amigos Invisibles are notorious for their electrifying live sets. “Being a touring band is a great way to test songs and to try out new ideas,” primary songwriter/lead guitarist Jose Luis Pardo says. “We now write most of our music with the purpose of fitting them into our live sets. Playing so much live makes you really aware of what kind of stuff gets people this way or that way. Aside from testing songs, we can't hold new tracks for that long. As soon as we think a song is ready to be played, we let loose. It's like having a new weapon, a funky weapon.”
With new album “Commercial,” the group has tightened their hooks and focused their songs, recording their most accessible work yet. The album features a variety of snb pecial guests from Jorge Gonzalez (of Chilean rock legends Los Prisioneros) and Mexican songstress Natalia Lafourcade to Senor Coconut vocalist Argenis Brito and Los Tetas’ C-funk. Los Amigos also enlisted production work from friends like Dimitri From Paris and Cachorro López (Belanova, Miranda).
Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St, Montclair NJ: The popular Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto. http://www.wellmonttheatre.com/events/
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Andy Statman bridges American and Jewish roots, and Red Baraat Festival plays Indian brass band wedding / roots / party music. Not sure as of press time who's playing first but see http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Italian roots with Alessandra Beloni. http://www.mehanata.com/
The Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd: Rafael Gomez and Nuevo Circo play Latin / Caribbean music at 10 pm (plus other bands before / after). http://www.shrinenyc.com/schedule.php
Eastwood Manor, 33712 Eastchester Road, the Bronx: Albanian popular concert with Meda, Aurela Grace, Nora Istrefi, Gzim Nika. 7 pm - 1 am. Info: http://www.albanianevents.com/event_details.php?id=464
Nov 30 (Mon)
Barbes, 376 9th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn: Pierre de Gaillande sings George Brassens early; Chicha Libre plays classic chicha / cumbia at a little later. This double bill repeats most if not all Mondays in November; confirm bill and show times w/ venue http://www.barbesbrooklyn.com.
Dec 1 (Tues)
Bell House, 149 N 7th St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Alex Meixner - A Bavarian X-Mas. 7:30 pm.
Grammy Nominated Polka Sensation Alex Meixner and the girls of Wasabassco Burlesque are back for another round. Come join Alex and the girls as they present their risque take on the classic Christmas show genre. Also... Those fab chefs Theo and Nick will be back selling their amazing pork belly bratwurst.
Dec 3 (Thurs)
Workmen's Circle, 45 E. 33rd St. between Madison and Park Ave: Tantshoyz Yiddish Dance event. Discussion starts at 6:30, dance at 7 pm. This month's event will feature master dance leader Walter Zev Feldman and live klezmer music by clarinetist Michael Winograd. A presentation of CTMD's An-sky Institute for Jewish Culture: http://www.ctmd.org
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Yuri Yunakov and Avram Pengas - great Eastern European / Mediterranean music via NYC. This is a weekly gig, most Thursdays but check with the venue to make sure it's on: http://www.mehanata.com/
Dec 4 (Fri)
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Grand Masters of Gypsy Music http://www.mehanata.com/
Dec 5 (Sat)
Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck NJ: Vlada Tomova's Balkan Tales. http://www.puffinfoundation.org
Bulgarian-born singer Vlada Tomova's Balkan Tales brings an exciting, contemporary approach to the traditional songs of Bulgaria and the Balkans in a new CD release (Kuker Music).
Vlada Tomova's Balkan Tales offers a fresh take on Bulgarian folk songs, weaving together traditions from the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East in their new full-length disc, recorded at Looking Glass Studios and The Argot Network
Conceived by Tomova, called “a Bulgarian vocal sorceress” by nymosaico.com, Balkan Tales weaves traditional songs into a contemporary acoustic sound, mixing old world flavor with modern concepts. The album consists largely of original arrangements of Bulgarian traditional songs, as well as songs in Greek, Kurdish, and Russian. The ensemble produces an array of textures and moods, blending fiery vocals, mournful taqasims, driving percussion, and colorful harmonic treatments.
Bronx Library Center, 310 E Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx: Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. 2.30 pm.
Chris Washburne & the SYOTOS Band synthesizes Afro-Cuban, Puerto Rican, Brazilian, and Armenian jazz styles and is one of the most sought-after Latin jazz groups in New York City.
Dec 6 (Sun)
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St: Music from China explores summer themes in sizhu music. Part of the series Silk and Bamboo Sundays. Museum info: http://www.mocanyc.org/; presented in collaboration with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org. Daytime event: 3:30 pm.
Music From China performs classical and folk masterpieces as well as new Chinese music by living composers to audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. A proponent of new music, Music From China produces Premiere Works, an annual concert series of new music and commissioned works by established and emerging composers. It has toured extensively throughout North America, and received a Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, in recognition for its contribution to music that mixes East and West. Music From China has can be heard on the Smithsonian Folkways and Metropolitan Museum of Art labels.
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard (at the corner of Linden Place), Flushing, Queens: Klez Dispensers Hanukkah show. Daytime event: 2 pm. http://www.flushingtownhall.org/.
Brooklyn Public Library Brighton Beach branch: Weekday afternoon concert (with the old Russian folks in mind) with opera vocalist Mikhail Kalinovsky singing classical romances and international songs. 2 pm, free. http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Dec 8-13
The Blue Note, 131 W 3rd St: Eddie Palmieri y la Perfecta II. 73rd birthday celebration for the Latin jazz piano great. Two shows nightly. http://www.bluenote.net/newyork/index.shtml
Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and bold innovative drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. At the Blue Note, Palmieri will bring La Perfecta II, revisiting the music from the original 1960s group La Perfecta, featuring new versions of the band’s salsa music and new compositions.
Dec 10 (Thurs)
South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange NJ: The Klezmatics. 8 pm http://www.sopacnow.org
The Klezmatics started in New York City in 1986, and have since developed into world music luminaries. Twenty years and nine albums later, their sound is still fresh and their lyrics thought-provoking, combining Eastern European spirituality with politically charged themes. The Klezmatics have toured extensively and topped Billboard World Music charts multiple times, and will be performing a special holiday concert at SOPAC.
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Yuri Yunakov and Avram Pengas - great Eastern European / Mediterranean music via NYC. This is a weekly gig, most Thursdays but check with the venue to make sure it's on: http://www.mehanata.com/
Dec 10-14
Webster Hall, 125 E 11 St: Matisyahu. http://www.websterhall.com/
Dec 11 (Fri)
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Grand Masters of Gypsy Music http://www.mehanata.com/
Dec 12 (Sat)
92 St Y Tribeca: Smadar Levi, Sarah Aroeste, The Naming - opening night of Sephardic Music Festival.
Shemspeed presents the opening night of its annual Sephardic Music Festival with a lineup showcasing some of the top female talents in modern Jewish music. http://www.92yTribeca.org
The Naming: This new multi-disciplinary (original music, dance, story-telling, video art) work comes from the Persian Jewish vocal innovator Galeet Dardashti—the driving force behind the popular all-woman Middle Eastern band Divahn. Dardashti unites the Persian classical music that made her grandfather a musical icon in Iran with a deep connection to Jewish poetry and song to create lush electronica-edged Middle Eastern compositions in Hebrew, Aramaic, Arabic and Persian.
Ladino chanteuse Sarah Aroeste, inspired by her Sephardic roots from Spain and Greece, brings a fresh, sexy sound to Ladino and Sephardic music, fusing both original and 15th-century Ladino folk songs with rock, funk, jazz and blues.
An exciting new voice emerging from the NYC world music scene, Smadar Levi's gypsy-influenced pan-Mediterranean sound has won her wide acclaim. The Israeli-Moroccan's creative renditions of traditional tunes in Hebrew, Arabic and Ladino moved the Epoch Times International to call her "a euphonious and haunting voice" for peace and unity, while the internationally-renowned nonprofit organization Seeds of Peace honored her with an award for "uniting cultures to achieve peace through music.
Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, Grand Army Plaza: Caribbean Holiday Celebration for Kids. Noon. Free. http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Celebrate winter holidays with refreshments, crafts and music. The first 500 children to arrive will receive a wrapped holiday gift. All attendees will have a chance to meet Santa Claus. This is held in partnership with the West Indian American Carnival Association (WIADCA).
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Kagero - Balkan inspired band. http://www.mehanata.com/
92 St Y, Lexington Ave and 92nd St: AcapaJewza - Featuring the popular Jewish a cappella group Six13 and others. Shows at 8 pm at 10:30 pm. http://www.92y.org
Dec 12-19
Shemspeed's 5th Annual NYC Sephardic Music Festival. Various Venues. Lineup / info: http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/
Dec 13 (Sun)
Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn - Klezmatics (Hanukkah show). Daytime event - 2 pm. http://events.cuny.edu/default.asp?CollegeId=12
The Grammy-winning Klezmatics share songs from their hit Hanukkah album featuring lyrics by long-time Brooklyn resident Woody Guthrie and music filled with high energy and old country charm.
Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St: Music from China explores summer themes in sizhu music. Part of the series Silk and Bamboo Sundays. Museum info: http://www.mocanyc.org/; presented in collaboration with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org. Daytime event: 3:30 pm.
Music From China performs classical and folk masterpieces as well as new Chinese music by living composers to audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. A proponent of new music, Music From China produces Premiere Works, an annual concert series of new music and commissioned works by established and emerging composers. It has toured extensively throughout North America, and received a Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, in recognition for its contribution to music that mixes East and West. Music From China has can be heard on the Smithsonian Folkways and Metropolitan Museum of Art labels.
Spanish Portuguese Synagogue, 3 West 70th St: Ladino song with Rivka Amado & Ellie Massias. Part of the Sephardic Music Festival http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/.
Ladino music, a blend of Jewish and Spanish traditions, has been a part of the cultural life of Sephardic Jews since they were expelled from Spain in 1492. For 500 years, the songs kept their history alive from generation to generation.
Rivka Amado was born in Holon Israel, and spent most of her adult life in Jerusalem before moving to Berkeley, California in 2004. She traces her roots back to prominent Sephardic families—the Amado’s and the Barbut’s--on both sides of her family. After their expulsion from Spain both families eventually found their way to the Balkans where they remained for generations. Rivka’s parents made aliyah (the Jewish return to Israel) in 1933.
She grew up In a Ladino-speaking home in Holon, where she learned traditional melodies from her grandmother, Rivka Amado-Mandil.. (Yes, Sephardim name their children after living relatives.) For years Rivka sang Ladino songs and played the piano informally, and as well as sang in her synagogue choir in Jerusalem. Since moving to Berkeley, she has dedicated much of her time researching Sephardic culture and performing traditional Ladino music. With the aid of guitarist Joel Siegel, she has developed a program, A Journey Back to Spain, in which she recounts the ways the Jews of Spain have been able to maintain their identity for five hundred years, long after their expulsion, first from Spain and then from the entire Iberian Peninsula. In this program she mixes historical narrative, accounts of Sephardic culture, and popular Ladino songs.
Dec 14 (Mon)
Union Hall, 702 Union St, Brooklyn: Yair Dalal. 7 pm. Part of the Sephardic Music Festival http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/.
Yair Dalal, born in 1955; composer, violinist, oud player and singer; is probably the most prolific Israeli ethnic musician and plays an important role in shaping the global world music scene. Over the last decade he has put 11 albums, covering wide and varied cultural territory, and authentically representing Israel’s cultures and fusing them through music as whole.
Much of Dalal’s work reflects his extensive musical skills in both classical and Arabic music and also reflects a strong affinity he has for the desert and its habitants. Dalal’s family came to Israel from Baghdad and his Iraqi roots are embedded in his musical work. Whether working on his own, or with his Alol ensemble, Dalal creates new Middle Eastern music by interweaving the traditions of Iraqi and Jewish Arabic music with a range of influences originating from such diverse cultural milieus as the Balkans to India. The evocative compositions comprise a unique and colorful sound.
Apart from creating music, Dalal devotes his time to preserving musical heritages from becoming extinct - the Babylonian musical heritage and the music of the Beduim (the Sinai desert nomads).
Besides his musical endeavors, Dalal is also a peace activist, devoting much of his time and energy to helping to remove ideological barriers between different cultures and, in particular between Jews and Arabs. Dalal performed at the Nobel Peace Prize gala concert in 1994 honoring the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat.
Dalal has won several Israeli awards acknowledging his music and his contribution to Israeli music and was also nominated in 2000 for a Grammy as part of Jordi Savall’s ensemble and by BBC world music rewards 2003 for his musical achievements as best musician from the middle east.
Center for Jewish History's Forchheimer Auditorium/Kumble Stage, 15 W. 16th St: Ilyas Malayev: Remembering the Poet Laureate of the Bukharian Jews. A presentation of CTMD's An-sky Institute for Jewish Culture: http://www.ctmd.org
Ilyas Malayev (1936-2008) was an immensely popular musician across Uzbekistan, deeply loved by the Bukharian Jewish community. He was a master of the central Asian classical music cycles known as "Shash maqam," and a major innovator of traditional forms through his musical compositions, poetry and theatrical works. CTMD worked with Dartmouth ethnomusicologist Theodore Levin to produce Malayev's important 1997 recording, At the Bazaar of Love (Shanachie Records). A reception will follow the event.
Dec 15 (Tues)
CUNY Grad Center Segal Theater, 365 Fifth Ave @ 34th St (NOTE - we also venue listed at Center for Jewish History so PLEASE CONFIRM WITH PRESENTER): Sepharad: New Approaches to a Musical Identity. A performance by Aviva and Dan followed by audience-interactive panel discussion on Sephardic music curated by Samuel R. Thomas (of the group Asefa). Early evening event - 6:30 pm. Part of the Sephardic Music Festival http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/.
Dec 16 (Wed)
Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg: Pharaoh's Daughter (with special guests). Part of the Sephardic Music Festival http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/.
Blending a psychedelic sensibility and a pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band, Pharaoh's Daughter, through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica.Her sound has been cultivated by her Hasidic music background and a series of trips to the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Central Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan and Greece.
Dec 16-20
Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 N 6 St, Brooklyn: Matisyahu. http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
Dec 17 (Thurs)
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St: Electro Morocco + Diwon. New directions in electro-Judaic hybridism. Late show: 11 pm. Part of the Sephardic Music Festival http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/.
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Yuri Yunakov and Avram Pengas - great Eastern European / Mediterranean music via NYC. This is a weekly gig, most Thursdays but check with the venue to make sure it's on: http://www.mehanata.com/
Dec 18 (Fri)
Mehanata, 113 Ludlow St: Grand Masters of Gypsy Music http://www.mehanata.com/
Dec 20
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard (at the corner of Linden Place), Flushing, Queens: Bakithi Kumalo Kwanzaa show. Daytime event: 2 pm. http://www.flushingtownhall.org/.
Dec 24
92 St Y, Lexington Ave and 92nd St: The popular Israeli singer-songwriter David Broza. 8 pm. http://www.92y.org
Dec 27-29
Webster Hall, 125 E 11th St: Gogol Bordello. The merry pranksters of East European-y roots rock. http://websterhall.com/
2010
Jan 8
92 y Tribeca, 200 Hudson St: Pistolera. (APAP showcase? Possibly with others?) http://www.92y.org/92yTribeca/
Pistolera led by Sandra Velasquez is a rocking NYC-based band that plays an original brand of latin pop-folklorico, drawing from traditional styles of Mexican music but with a rock and roll mindset, and socially aware songwriting.
Jan 8-12
Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, and other venues: APAP - the annual Arts Presenters conference features many musical showcases. Most of the on-site showcases are free of charge and open to the general public; off-site showcases are more likely to have an admission fee. Info: http://www.apapconference.org/
Jan 10 (Sun)
Webster Hall, 125 E 11th St: globalFEST - the annual world music showcase presented in conjunction with APAP http://www.apapconference.org/, the arts presenters' conference. 6 pm. Artists TBA. http://www.globalfest-ny.com
For the seventh year, this leading showcase for international sounds keeps a foot in the door of cultural exchange, giving dozens of musicians access to the national stage.
This year’s festival includes:
- Alif Naaba, West African acoustic song (Burkina Faso)
- Cara Dillon, striking Celtic vocalist (Ireland)
- Caravan Palace, swingin’ electro manouche jazz (France)
- Cedric Watson, Creole Zydeco heir from Louisiana (USA)
- Federico Aubele, bolero and cumbia meets electro
downtempo (Argentina/USA)
- La Cumbiamba eNeYé, Afro-Colombian roots from NYC
(Colombia/USA)
- La Excelencia, old-school salsa dura revivalists (USA)
- Meta and the Cornerstones, African roots reggae export
(Senegal/USA)
- Namgar, Siberian shaman rock from the Central Asian
steppes (Russia)
- Nguyên Lê, acclaimed French-Vietnamese guitarist leads a
Pan-Asian jazz trio (Vietnam/Japan/India/France)
- Nightlosers, Transylvanian blues-rock/Gypsy chameleons
(Romania)
- Souad Massi, Algerian folk-rock songstress (Algeria/France)
Jan 11 (Mon)
Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16 St: Bajofondo. Eye For Talent agency's APAP showcase featuring: Cimarrón + De Temps Antan + Hector del Curto & Eternal Tango + La Fanfare Di Belgistan + Los de Abajo + Maria de Barros. 6 pm doors, 7 pm show. http://www.highlineballroom.com
Cimarrón: Los Llanos Orientales are vast plains that stretch from Colombia into Venezuela. The mestizo people that inhabit these savannahs on the great Orinoco river are descendents of Spanish settlers, African slaves and Indigenous Indians.This is cattle rearing country where music accompanies the daily working tasks such as milking and cattle drives. Most striking is the festive dance music called joropo, a fiercely virtuoso display of rippling melodies played on harp, bandola and cuatro accompanied by bass, cajon and maracas. Cimarrón is the most accomplished llanera group in Colombia. A seven piece led by harpist and composer Carlos Rojas, they have been working for over twenty years and have performed the world over. These musicians are immersed in the sounds of ‘los llanos’; they seek to explore and experiment with their rich heritage whilst retaining the essence of the tradition.
Jan 14 (Thurs)
Mexicali Live, 1409 Queen Anne Road, Teaneck, NJ: Crooked Still - young American roots band plays it more down and dirty than typical bluegrass circuit types. http://www.mexicalilive.com/
Jan. 15-16 (Sat-Sun)
Good Shepherd School 620 Isham (near 207th St. and B'way): Golden Festival of Balkan and East European Music and Dance. The hyper-festive annual gathering of Balkan music and dance aficionados. The founders and organizers, the Zlatne Uste Brass Band play a dance concert Friday night with a few additional musical guests; Saturday night is wall to wall music and dance (usually starting at 6 pm and going until the wee hours of Sunay morning) with multiple stages and scores of bands performing. Info to come at: http://goldenfest.zlatneuste.org/
Jan 16 (Sun)
Queens Public Library Flushing Branch, 41-17 Main Street, Flushing, Queens (check with presenter to confirm location): Chris Washburne and the SYOTOS Band. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Daytime event: 2 pm.
Chris Washburne & the SYOTOS Band synthesizes Afro-Cuban, Puerto Rican, Brazilian, and Armenian jazz styles and is one of the most sought-after Latin jazz groups in New York City.
Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn - Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company (Lunar New Year show). Daytime event - 2 pm. http://events.cuny.edu/default.asp?CollegeId=12
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company returns with a new show to celebrate the splendor of the Lunar New Year. Filled with festive music and dance, the agility of martial arts, and the beauty of colorful twirling ribbons and silks, their 90-minutes on stage is a stunning feast for the eyes.
Jan 17 (Sun)
Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island: Slavic Soul Party: Balkan brass mayhem. http://www.snug-harbor.org. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Daytime event: 2 pm.
Jan 22 (Fri)
Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadow Park (adjacent to the National Tennis Center etc): Brian Gore's International Guitar Night. 8 pm. http://www.queenstheatre.org
International Guitar Night started as an impromptu concert in a converted laundromat in San Francisco. This year, celebrating ten years of touring, IGN founder Brian Gore will be joined by Lulo Reinhardt, from Germany, a descendant of the great Django Reinhardt along with Itamar Erez from Israel, and Stephen Bennett from Virginia. This promises to be a spirited evening of solo and collaborative guitar music performed in a number of musical styles.
Jan. 23 (Sat)
Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: World Music Institute (WMI) presents Yuri Yunakov Band. 8 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
Bulgaria's famed saxophonist Yuri Yunakov, of Turkish Romani (Gypsy) ancestry, has enraptured audiences around the world with his electrifying performances of Bulgarian wedding music and Gypsy music from the Balkans. Known for his longtime collaboration with Ivo Papsov, he is the charismatic leader of Romani wedding bands and was a member of WMI's Gypsy Caravan tour. In this program, he and his 6-member ensemble will present Gypsy music from Bulgaria and Macedonia - joyful and ecstatic sounds filled with haunting melodies and dizzying rhythms.
DreamYard, 240 E 172nd St (please confirm address with presenters), the Bronx: Folklore Urbano fluidly blends jazz / improv with elements of pianist / leader Pablo Mayor's Colombian roots. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. 5 pm.
DreamYard is an innovative arts-in-education organization that integrates the arts into the curricula of elementary, middle and high school students.
Feb 3 (Wed)
Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16 St: Ladysmith Black Mambazo - the veneral South African mbube vocal ensemble. http://www.highlineballroom.com
Feb 6 (Sat)
Brooklyn Public Library Coney Island Branch: Slavic Soul Party - Balkan brass mayhem. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Daytime event: 2 pm.
Brooklyn Public Library Central Library, Grand Army Plaza: Broadbelt Guitar Duo. Afternoon concert: 4 pm. Free. http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
Brothers Sean and Girshwyn Broadbelt carry forward their family's long tradition of playing their native Trinidadian and Venezuelan music. With hints of Django Reinhardt, Paco de Lucia and combinations of Spanish Classical Jazz, Broadbelt Guitar Duo's unique style and sound is Latin Classical acoustic guitar with a twist of Latin Jazz, Blues and Spanish Jazz.
Montclair State University (Peak Performances Series), One Normal Ave., Montclair NJ: Miguel Zenón & Esta Plena. 8 pm. http://www.peakperfs.org
Be immersed in a jazz creation of real genius as saxophonist Miguel Zenón and his ensemble perform an original work inspired by plena, a popular folk music form that originated in Zenón’s homeland of Puerto Rico. A noted Guggenheim and recent MacArthur Fellow, Zenón reawakens the spirit of this traditional music in Esta Plena, an evening-long program that explores both the instrumental and vocal elements of this art form.
World Music Institute Presents at Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: JSamulnori Drums & Dances: Noreum Machi. 8 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
Spectacular percussion dialogues, shamanic chants, and acrobatic dances. Korea's Noreum Machi troupe has been acclaimed for its innovative performances of the dynamic samulnori percussion music that has captivated audiences throughout the world over the past three decades. An exhilarating modern adaptation of the ancient p'ungmul nori farmers ritual, samulnori represents the soul of Korea. The group is led by Kim Juhong, who studied singing, shaman rhythms, and pansori with masters of their genres, including Kim Duk Soo, an original member of Samul-Nori.
Feb 7 (Sun)
Montclair State University (Peak Performances Series), One Normal Ave., Montclair NJ: Kronos Quartet. Daytime event: 3 pm. http://www.peakperfs.org
Kronos will perform a very international set:
John Zorn - Cat O’ Nine Tails*
Hamza El Din (Realized by Tohru Ueda) - “Escalay” (Water Wheel)*
Ramallah Underground (arr. Jacob Garchik) - Tashweesh*
Café Tacuba (arr. Osvaldo Golijov) - 12/12
Raymond Scott (arr. Randall Woolf) - Twilight in Turkey+
Traditional (arr. Jacob Garchik) - Smyrneiko Minore+
Ram Narayan (arr. Kronos, transc. Ljova) - “Alap” (Raga Mishra Bhairavi)+
Aleksandra Vrebalov - … hold me, neighbor, in this storm…*
Feb 11-13 (Thurs-Sat)
Feb 12 (Fri)
Montgomery County Community College, 340 Dekalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA: Paquito D'Rivera. http://www.mc3.edu/aboutUs/newsEvents
Born in Cuba, Paquito D’Rivera, composer and saxophonist, is the recipient of the National Medal of the Arts and the first artist in history to win Latin Grammy Awards in both the Classical and Latin Jazz categories. Most recently he received his 9th Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album for his most recent recording Funk Tango. In addition to his extraordinary performing career as an instrumentalist, Paquito D'Rivera has rapidly gained a reputation as a dynamic composer winning a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship in Music Composition in 2007. His works often reveal his widespread and eclectic musical interests, from Afro-Cuban rhythms and melodies, back to his classical origins.
Feb 13 (Sat)
Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour St, Montclair NJ: Neville Brothers + Dr John. http://www.wellmonttheatre.com/events/
Feb 18
Skirball Center at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South:
World Music Institute Presents Masters of Persian Music Hossein Alizadeh, Kayhan Kalhor, & Hamid Reza Nourbakhsh. 8 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
This program features three important figures in classical Persian music: tar (long-necked lute) maestro Hossein Alizadeh; Kayhan Kalhor, a virtuoso of the kamancheh (spike-fiddle) who has been instrumental in popularizing Persian music in the West through his solo concerts and work with Ghazal and Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project; and Hamid Reza Nourbakhsh, a student of Mohammad Reza Shajarian and one of the finest Iranian vocalists today. Their program features new works drawing on Persian classical music and ancient Sufi and contemporary poetry.
Drom, 85 Ave. A: Samita Sinha. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. See also http://www.dromnyc.com. 8 pm.
Trained in classical Hindustani vocal music, composer/ performer Samita Sinha uses the range of her voice together with electronics and multilingual text in solo performance and multichannel vocal pieces. Besides her solo work, Sinha has a duo project with Marc Cary called ANATOMY (electronic/ Hindustani/ jazz), uses her voice as an improvising instrument in jazz ensembles (in Marc Cary’s FOCUS Trio, Sunny Jain Collective, Eternal Now and her own ensemble Kaash), and has toured internationally as a vocalist with the late performance poet Sekou Sundiata’s the 51st (dream) state.
Feb 21 (Sun)
Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadow Park (adjacent to the National Tennis Center etc): Zalmen Mlotek - 100 Years of Yiddish theater Music – From shtetl to Klezmer Revival featuring special guest Daniella Rabbani, and the New Yiddish Chorale. Daytime event: 3 pm. http://www.queenstheatre.org
Feb 25
Jorgensen Center For The Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Unit 3104 University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT: Bela Fleck's African Project - featuring Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba.
Kouyate, former sideman with Toumani Diabate, has extended the repertoire of the traditional cigar-shaped ngoni lute, forming a band full of ngonis and modifying the instruments - creating a bass version etc. His band's enervating music has been praised by the likes of Fatboy Slim, Damon Albarn etc. http://www.jorgensen.uconn.edu/
The unrivaled master of the American banjo, Béla Fleck is also a historian of his craft. Several years ago he went from the U.S. to Africa, intrigued by the banjo’s ancestry and an urge to bridge the continents’ musical divide. In this collaboration with amazing African musicians, Fleck creates some of the most memorable music of his career.
About Kouyate's new cd "I Speak Fula":
From his early days in Bamako when he was playing in a trio together with Toumani Diabate and Keletigui Diabate till today where he is pursuing his own career, Bassekou has transformed the traditional music of the ngoni into the modern world of today. With his band ngoni ba he has created a new lineup as a quartet with a band's style of playing. The ngonis they play are still acoustic as in the old days, but Bassekou invented a bass ngoni even lower in pitch than the ngoni ba (low ngoni), and added extra strings to make their instruments harmonically more flexible. In the process Bassekou opened up the magic of an age-old music that he and his band have been playing for their entire lives, to people all over the world. Bassekou Kouyate has now become the ambassador of the ngoni. He has brought this ancient instrument back to where it used to be: to the center of Malian music. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba are now rocking the stages from Bamako to London. Their sucess has sparked off a new interest for this traditional instrument in Mali. Today not a week passes in Bamako without Bassekou being approached by young musicians who want to start a ngoni band.
Feb 26-27 (Fri-Sat)
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St: Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra: The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra goes Carioca. 8 pm nightly. http://www.symphonyspace.org
The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra goes Carioca features guest Music Director Cliff Korman, and friends. The evening will be a celebration of the Samba, the Bossa Nova, and other Afro Brazilian rhythms. We will explore the genius of Hermeto Pascoal and feature special guests Vanderlei Pereira and Paul Leiberman, amongst many others.
March 6 (Sat)
Born in Gonaives, Haiti, Emeline Michel is the reigning Queen of Haitian Song. A captivating performer, versatile vocalist and one of the premier Haitian songwriters of her generation. For the past two decades, she recorded numerous albums and has appeared on concert stages throughout the Caribbean, Europe, North & South America. Singing both in French and Haitian Creole, her eight albums have catapulted her to international acclaim.
March 7 (Sun)
Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn - Son de Madre. Daytime event - 3 pm; free. http://events.cuny.edu/default.asp?CollegeId=12 in conjunction with the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Series http://www.carnegiehall.org
This NYC-based Latin fusion band features top-notch players from all around the globe. Their versions of son, salsa, timba, cha cha, and more will have you dancing in the aisles.
March 11 (Thurs)
Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th St: Altan. 8 pm. http://www.symphonyspace.org
Altan, which has revitalized the Irish music scene both here and abroad, is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. Renowned for its dynamic twin fiddling and haunting renditions of old Gaelic songs in the sean nos (unaccompanied style), Altan specializes in tunes in the powerful Donegal style that is marked by a strong Scottish influence. This supergroup features Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, who has been acclaimed for her glorious vocals; Ciaran Tourish, Dermot Byrne, Daithi Sproule, and Ciran Curran.
March 13 (Sat)
Carnegie Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave: The dynamic Inuk singer Tanya Tagaq with Kimmo Pohjonen and the Kronos Quartet. 8 pm. http://www.carnegiehall.org.
March 19-20
Jorgensen Center For The Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Unit 3104 University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT: Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy. 8 pm. http://www.jorgensen.uconn.edu/
Donnell Leahy, eldest member of the Canadian sibling powerhouse Leahy, joins Cape Breton Island native Natalie MacMaster for a fiddle-driven whirlwind of Celtic music and dance. They push the pedal to the floor as they roar across the musical map with jigs, reels and strathspeys. Their fiery, foot-tapping energy brakes only occasionally for a delicate air or a keening ballad, making a timeless tradition as fresh and new as a sunrise.
March 20 (Sat)
Queens College LeFrak Concert Hall, Kissena Blvd, Flushing, Queens: Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet. Ensemble led by the trumpeter and composer, fusing coastal Peruvian roots with jazz. Info: http://www.kupferbergcenterarts.org
Bronx Library Center, 310 E Kingsbridge Rd, Bronx: Falu (Falguni Shah). Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. 2.30 pm.
Falu is widely recognized for a rare ability to seamlessly blend a signature modern inventive rock style with a formidable Indian classically-shaped vocal talent. Falu's band brings together musicians who draw elegantly from Indian classical, alternative rock, contemporary pop, and electronic styles to create a tight mix of East and West, of ancient and modern. One of Falu’s most stunning recent performances was at the Time 100 Gala where she was invited to perform a duet with Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman in front of the one hundred selection of Time Magazine's most influential people in the world of 2008, which not surprisingly included Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
March 21 (Sun)
Grace Church, 33 Church St, White Plains, NY: Mariachi Real de Mexico. Daytime event: 4 pm. http://dtmusic.org/programs_weekend.htm
Mariachi Real de Mexico, the premiere Mariachi band, has performed in concert at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, and as part of numerous celebrations for luminaries in the world of music. A pre-concert talk about Mariachi and its history begins at 3:30 pm. A traditional Mexican fiesta follows the program.
Mar 26 (Fri)
Carnegie Hall Zankel Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave: Bassekou Kouyate. 8:30pm. http://www.carnegiehall.org.
Celebrated for his virtuosity on the ngoni, an ancient West African lute, Mali's extraordinary Bassekou Kouyate performs hypnotic music evocative of the blues with his band Ngoni ba, Mali's first ngoni quartet. New York debut.
Mar 27 (Sat)
Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens: Slavic Soul Party's Balkan Brass Mayhem. Free, part of Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Daytime event: 3 pm.
April 9 (Fri)
World Music Institute Presents at Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: Ali Akbar Moradi and friends: Sacred Kurdish Music. 8 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
The music of Kurdistan, little known in the US, is performed by Ali Akbar Moradi, the greatest living master of the tanbur. Known for his work as a soloist and with Shahram Nazeri and Kayhan Kalhor, he has created new interest for the tanbur - an ancient lute traditionally used in religious ceremonies. His program features both meditative improvisations based on the repertoire of the Yarsan people, the followers of a mystical faith associated with Sufism, and Kurdish folk music. Accompaniment on lutes and percussion is provided by his sons, Kourosh (daf, tombak, tanbur) and Arash (tanbur, shurangiz, setar), his daughter Faranak (tanbur), his nephew Jahanbakhsh Rostami (tanbur, setar), and his student Bahar Movaed Bashir (tanbur, vocal).
April 10 (Sat)
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway: Falu. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Daytime event: 3 pm.
Falu is widely recognized for a rare ability to seamlessly blend a signature modern inventive rock style with a formidable Indian classically-shaped vocal talent. Falu's band brings together musicians who draw elegantly from Indian classical, alternative rock, contemporary pop, and electronic styles to create a tight mix of East and West, of ancient and modern. One of Falu’s most stunning recent performances was at the Time 100 Gala where she was invited to perform a duet with Slumdog Millionaire composer A.R. Rahman in front of the one hundred selection of Time Magazine's most influential people in the world of 2008, which not surprisingly included Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
Jorgensen Center For The Performing Arts, 2132 Hillside Road, Unit 3104 University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT: Oscar D'Leon / "Latin Fest 2010 - Dance Cabaret".
Oscar D'León is a Venezuelan-born salsa superstar, originally a double-bass player but now strictly a singer and bandleader. He is known as El Sonero del Mundo. His most famous song is perhaps "Llorarás," which he recorded in 1975 with his group La Dimensión Latina.
April 17 (Sat)
Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16 St: Rokia Traore. http://www.highlineballroom.com
Malian singer Rokia Traore burst onto the world music scene in 1997 when she was awarded the Radio France Internationale prize for African Discovery of the Year, only a year after she had become a professional singer. Traore, who sings almost exclusively in her native Bamanan language, has achieved international critical and popular acclaim as one of the most innovative stylists to emerge in the West African singing tradition.
April 18 (Sun)
World Music Institute Presents at Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: Ana Moura. 7 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
Portuguese singer Ana Moura's stunning interpretation of her country's soulful fado has made her a rising star in Europe and brought her critical acclaim in her North American concerts. An outstanding voice in the new generation of fado singers, she transcends her youth with a maturity that speaks of the pain of separation, unrequited love, and longing - themes portrayed in this poetic, deeply expressive genre. Accompaniment on Portuguese guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass guitar.
Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd, Brooklyn - Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Theatre. Daytime event - 3 pm; free. http://events.cuny.edu/default.asp?CollegeId=12 in conjunction with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance http://www.ctmd.org
Mountain dances with swords; elegant court dances; ancient folk dances -- join this talented group of 25 dancers, singers and musicians on a cultural tour of the former Soviet republic of Georgia, joyously performed with traditional instruments and colorfully authentic costumes.
April 24 (Sat)
Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, 100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona, Queens: Kakande led by master balafon (xylophone) player Famoro Dioubate brings driving West African roots music to NY audiences. Free, part of Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Daytime event: 2 pm.
World Music Institute Presents at Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: Vijayalakshmi: South Indian dance and music. 8 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
Vijayalakshmi is one of the most highly regarded exponents of Mohiniyattam (literally "the dance of the enchantress"), the exquisite South Indian classical dance style from Kerala that is rarely presented in the U.S. today. She follows in the footsteps of her mother and guru, Bharati Shivaji, playing an important role in the revival and rejuvenation of this form that is deeply rooted in femininity, grace (lasya), and beauty (sringara). Performing pieces from the traditional Mohiniyattam repertoire, she is accompanied by musicians on veena, percussion & vocals.
April 29 (Thurs)
Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 161-04 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, Queens: Kakande led by master balafon (xylophone) player Famoro Dioubate brings driving West African roots music to NY audiences. Free, part of Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Evening event: 7:30 pm.
May 1 (Sat)
World Music Institute Presents at Symphony Space, Broadway and 95 St: Shujaat Husain Khan. 8 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
The extraordinary sitarist Shujaat Husain Khan, son and disciple of the late Ustad Vilayat Khan, is one of the leading Indian classical musicians of his generation. Seventh in an unbroken line in a family that has produced many musical masters, he performs in the gayaki ang style, which is imitative of the subtleties of the human voice. He has been acclaimed for his solo appearances of Indian music, as well as for his tours and recordings with the Grammy-nominated Indo-Persian Ghazal Ensemble. He is accompanied by the remarkable tabla player Yogesh Samsi.
May 7 (Fri)
Carnegie Hall Zankel Hall, 57th St and 7th Ave: Sones de Mexico Ensemble. 8:30pm. http://www.carnegiehall.org.
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This acclaimed Grammy-nominated Mexican folk music ensemble from Chicago specializes in the various regional styles of son, recreating the atmosphere of a traditional fandango (dance fiesta).
Snug Harbor Cultural Center, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island: Celso Duarte. http://www.snug-harbor.org. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. Evening event: 8 pm. May 8 (Sat) El Museo del Barrio, 1230 5th Ave at E 104 St: Celso Duarte. Free event, part of the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/art_neighborhood_concerts.html. See also http://www.elmuseo.org/. Note early evening start time: 6 pm. Charismatic, talented and deeply profound, Mexico's Celso Duarte has been recognized as a virtuoso of the harp by many international critics. He’s also well known as Lila Downs’ harpist both live and on the Latin Grammy winning album, Una Sangre. May 14 (Fri) |
World Music Institute Presents at Symphony Space Thalia Theater, Broadway and 95 St: Joydeep Ghosh. 7:30 pm. http://worldmusicinstitute.org
This program provides a rare opportunity to hear the surshringar, a stringed lute that is nearly extinct in India today. The surshringar, derived from ancient instruments and probably introduced in the early 19th century, can be described as a bass sarod and is used mainly in the introspective dhrupad and dhamar styles. The award-winning Joydeep Ghosh, who has been hailed as one of India's most respected surshringar players of his generation, is helping to keep alive this venerable tradition. Tabla accompaniment by Subhen Chatterjee. This program is dedicated to the late sarod maestro Aliu Akbar Khan.
June 4-5 (Fri-Sat)
Symphony Space Thalia Theater, Broadway and 95 St: Afro Latin Jazz Alliance presents Musica Nueva 3: Latin Jazz Across the Americas. 8 pm nightly. http://www.symphonyspace.org
"Musica Nueva 3: Latin Jazz Across the Americas" showcases new works from composers throughout the Americas, including world premieres, part of the ongoing commitment of Symphony Space and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance to new music through the Sonidos de Colores initiative. This concert has traditionally been an audience favorite and promises to be a peek into the future of the music we call jazz and Latin jazz.
June 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ: Michael Arnone's Crawfish fest. Cajun food empresario puts on his annual festival with lots of great Cajun / Louisiana music. http://www.crawfishfest.com/. Note: Friday shows are limited to people camping at the festival (Sat / Sun are open to everyone).
Confirmed so far (more TK):
Friday June 4th-Campers and Crawfish Krewe Only Terrance Simien and The Zydeco Experience The Redstick Ramblers, Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys + 3 TBA's
Saturday June 5th Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys, The Redstick Ramblers Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys Rosie Ledet, Polka Pot Summer Rae McLaughlan + 8 TBA's
Papa Grows Funk- Campers and Crawfish Krewe Only Sunday June 6th Galactic, The Redstick Ramblers, Jeffrey Broussard and The Creole Cowboys, Polka Dot Summer Rae McLaughlan
What started as a small crawfish boil for 70 people homesick for boiled crawfish in 1989, has turned into Michael Arnone's 20th Annual Crawfish Fest. Featuring the best Music and Food that Louisiana and New Orleans has to offer. Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Gospel and Jazz on 4 Stages.
July 17
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Tony Bennett Concert Hall, 35-12 35th St, Astoria, Queens: NY Musical Saw Festival. A slew of musical saw performers. Last year a Guinness record was set at the festival for largest saw orchestra - 53. Daytime event: 2 pm. http://musicalsawfestival.org/
Venues and festivals:
A listing of NY metro area summer concert series websites (and some series and festivals outside New York) is here: http://tinyurl.com/wfmu-world-summer-series
Work-in-progress: A directory of clubs and other venues / presenters that feature at least some "world" music: http://tinyurl.com/wfmu-world-clubs
Concert audio and video archives online (born before youtube)!
Kennedy Center Millenium Stage. All types of music and performance but a strong emphasis on “world” music: http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/archive_index.html
BBC Radio 3 World Music Archive: With full concerts from the UK’s WOMAD festivals and much more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/archive_index.shtml
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To see playlists, listen to archived programs and learn more about Transpacific Sound Paradise,
go to http://www.wfmu.org/Playlists/Robw.
The WFMU main page is http://www.wfmu.org/.
To comment or to submit an event to be listed, send e-mail to Rob Weisberg.
Dedicated to Godfrey and Mr Tibbles, our former fact-checkers now in kitty heaven.
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