Upcoming Events
Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita SUBA Trio
The Atlantic Ocean separates Cuba and Senegal, the respective birthplaces of piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and kora master Seckou Keita, a distance diminished by their shared ancestral connection to Africa.
Recorded during lockdown and released in October 2021, Sosa and Keita’s second album SUBA is a hymn to hope, to a new dawn of compassion and real change in a post-pandemic world, a visceral reiteration of humanity’s perennial prayer for peace and unity. Joining Omar and Seckou in the studio and for live performances is the inimitable Venezuelan artist Gustavo Ovalles.
Maryna Krut: The Modern Voice of Ukraine's Ancient Bandura
Maryna Krut (pronounced “kroot”) is a Ukrainian singer and virtuoso of the bandura, a stringed instrument unique to Ukraine that looks and sounds like a hybrid of lute and harp. At 28, Maryna Krut is an assured performing artist; her compelling, soulful performances evoke both folk traditions and modern sensibilities, with pop and jazz flourishes. A Eurovision finalist, she often represents Ukraine at official events and performs for soldiers in the current war zone, and she has appeared at the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, Andalucia Big Festival, Montreal Ukrainian Festival, and on other international stages.
Ballaké Sissoko and Derek Gripper: A New String Theory
A meeting between instruments, ready to break from tradition.
Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, widely considered to be one of the greatest touring kora players, joins Derek Gripper, South Africa’s leading guitarist, whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works, to change the face of classical guitar and give the instrument its very first African repertoire.
Trio Brasileiro: Spirited Strings
Weave through new tones of Brazilian Jazz with Trio Brasileiro.
Trio Brasileiro is a Grammy-nominated contemporary Brazilian Jazz ensemble that performs both original compositions and fresh interpretations of Brazilian classics.
Kayhan Kalhor: A Wild Ride on the Kamancheh
Take a wild sonic ride on the sounds of the spike fiddle with Iranian musician Kayhan Kalhor.
Kalhor is known for his exceptional skills in playing the kamancheh (aka spike fiddle), a traditional Persian instrument. He describes playing the kamancheh as akin to “riding a wild horse” due to the instrument’s challenging nature.
The Debashish Bhattacharya Trio
Transcend into the spiritual and historically grounded rhythms of Hindustani slide guitar with renowned musician Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya. He’s your virtuoso’s favorite virtuoso.
Bhattacharya is an award-winning artist who is known throughout the world as the unrivaled master of Hindustani slide guitar. A product of the demanding tradition of the ancient guru-student training system, he has received numerous international awards and accolades, including two Grammy nominations, Billboard Top 10, and the BBC Planet Award
DakhaBrakha
🌍 Why Dakhabrakha is Important 🌍
Dakhabrakha is not just a band—they are cultural ambassadors and advocates for peace. Hailing from Ukraine, their music fuses traditional Ukrainian folk with contemporary rhythms, creating a powerful sound that transcends borders. Through their haunting harmonies and mesmerizing live performances, Dakhabrakha draws global attention to the ongoing war in Ukraine, using their platform to advocate for freedom, resilience, and solidarity.
Their performances are not only a celebration of Ukrainian heritage but a call to action, raising awareness of the struggles their country faces and spreading a message of unity in the face of adversity. By blending art with activism, Dakhabrakha continues to captivate audiences worldwide while standing as a voice for their homeland.
Experience the power of Dakhabrakha live—music with a message that resonates far beyond the stage.
#Dakhabrakha #Ukraine #WorldMusic #CulturalFusion #LiveMusic #GlobalSounds #StandWithUkraine #ConcertPromo
DakhaBrakha
DakhaBrakha is a world music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. The name DakhaBrakha is original, outstanding, and authentic at the same time. It means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language.
Members:
Nina Garenetska - Cello / Vocals
Iryna Kovalenko - Piano / Percussion / Vocals Olena Tsybulska - Drums / Vocals
Marko Halanevych - Accordion / Vocals
Vladyslav Troitskyi - Director, ideologist, and founder of DakhaBrakha band
#Dakhabrakha #Ukraine #WorldMusic #CulturalFusion #LiveMusic #GlobalSounds #StandWithUkraine #ConcertPromo
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
40+ music acts from more than 13 countries, 9 US states and 6 provinces & territories are coming to play for you.
QWANQWA: Psychadelic Roots From Addis Ababa
QWANQWA, an ensemble hailing from Addis Ababa, uncovers lesser known traditional sounds from East Africa regions of Ethiopia and beyond—a trance-like chant of the Eritrean tribe of Blen, a psychadelic Somalian cover, an extended Amhara wedding medley, a Mahmoud Ahmed sing-a-long. With Selamnesh Zemene, the Azmari diva powerhouse, at the helm, QWANQWA is a conversation of virtuosos through tight arrangements and extended experimental moments. The live show ranges from intimate to wild, from whispery conversations to full blown rock show, and it is hard to believe these psychedelic sounds are coming from traditional harps, one string fiddle, and violin. Driving, powerful, QWANQWA proves we are living during another Golden Age of Ethiopian music.
Global Rhythms: The Campbell Brothers
Experience the power of sacred steel, a tradition rooted in the House of God Church, where the pedal steel guitar takes on a whole new dimension. The Campbell Brothers’ soul-stirring harmonies and infectious rhythms will have you dancing in your seat and feeling the joy of the music. Their deep respect for their roots shines, while their fresh interpretations infuse the music with a contemporary flair.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a renowned South African vocal group celebrated for their mesmerizing harmonies and profound cultural significance. Founded in the 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, this a cappella ensemble blends traditional Zulu music with contemporary styles, creating a unique and transcendent sound. Their performances are a captivating fusion of intricate vocal arrangements and mesmerizing choreography, deeply rooted in the rich traditions of their homeland. Ladysmith Black Mambazo gained global recognition through their collaboration with Paul Simon on his "Graceland" album, which earned them a Grammy Award. Over the decades, they have consistently spread messages of peace, love, and unity through their music, solidifying their status as global ambassadors of South African culture.
Lura
Lura, born Maria de Lurdes Assunção Pina on July 31, 1975, in Lisbon, Portugal, is a distinguished singer and musician known for her significant contributions to the Cape Verdean music scene. Despite being born in Portugal, Lura's roots are deeply embedded in Cape Verde, as her parents hail from the island of Santiago, one of the archipelago's most culturally rich islands. This dual heritage has profoundly influenced her music, allowing her to blend traditional Cape Verdean rhythms and styles with a contemporary flair.
Global Rhythms: Justin Adams & Mauro Durante
Virtuosic musicians Justin Adams and Mauro Durante come together with a special opening performance by Ganesh Rajagopalan to create a truly unique experience.
Puuluup
Puuluup is a duo – Ramo Teder (Pastacas as a solo artist) and Marko Veisson. A pinch of surrealism, modern folklore and talharpa revival! The old and the new stick together like water and sleet in Puuluup’s oeuvre
Global Rhythms: Yungchen Lhamo
World-renowned Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo captivates listeners with her ethereal and transcendent melodies rooted in Tibetan vocal traditions.
FRÄNDER
Brothers Gabbi and Daniel Dluzewski and sister Natasja Dluzewska grew up in the village of Håga, one of Scandinavia's great Viking strongholds during the Bronze Age. The area, near the city of Uppsala, was once a rich archeological trove of gold artifacts from the 900 BC tomb of King Björn before looters robbed it of that distinction, but treasures of a different sort still remain: the enduring riches of Nordic oral and musical traditions.
Global Rhythms: The Klezmatics
The Klezmatics are globally-renowned world music superstars — and the only klezmer band to win a Grammy award. The Klezmatics emerged out of the vibrant cultural scene of New York City’s East Village in 1986 with klezmer steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality, while incorporating contemporary themes such as human rights and anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences including Arab, African, Latin and Balkan rhythms, jazz and punk.
Hania Rani Live
“One can be lost but can find home in his inner part – which can mean many things – soul, imagination, mind, intuition, passion. I strongly believe that when being in uncertain times and living an unstable life we can still reach peace with ourselves and be able to find ‘home’ anywhere’ This is what I would like to express with my music – one can travel the whole world but not see anything. It is not where we are going but how much we are able to see and hear things happening around us”. — Hania Rani
Alam Khan, Arjun K. Verma: The Resonance Between
Alam Khan, a distinguished sarod maestro, embodies the rich legacy of Allauddin Khan and Ali Akbar Khan, solidifying his mark in the realm of Indian classical music. Arjun K. Verma, a prodigious sitarist, honed his skills under the mentorship of Roop Verma and later with Ali Akbar Khan, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation. The Del Sol Quartet, with Charlton Lee at the helm, has consistently pushed boundaries in chamber music, marrying classical foundations with a contemporary ethos. Completing the ensemble are tabla virtuosos Ojas Adhiya, Ishaan Ghosh, and Nilan Chaudhuri, each bringing a rhythmic depth rooted in years of dedicated practice and performance. Together, these artists represent a confluence of musical mastery and creative exploration.
Global Rhythms: Bab L'Bluz
Creating a captivating blend of Afro-Maghrebian rhythms and hypnotic desert blues, Bab L’Bluz assures a powerful and enchanting musical experience.
Dunava Live
Dunava (from the Bulgarian name for the Danube) is a women's choir, based in Seattle, made up of singers with broad musical and performance experience and a passion for intricate harmonies and vocal techniques. Dunava is dedicated to studying and performing traditional folk songs from the Balkans and Eastern Europe with respect and authenticity.
Thing Fest 23: Lois Landgrebe, Tulalip
Lois was NISA’s Chairwoman of 2017 and 2018. (*Northwest Indian Storyteller’s Association) I recall a quote from my beloved late mentor, Vi Hilbert, who once told me…”We breathe life into our stories, the testimony of our ancestors, share them so they are remembered and respected as gifts.”
Thing Fest 23: Barbara Lawrence-Suquamish
Barbara is a passionate educator who uses storytelling to teach all ages and was involved in the conception of Canoe Journeys. She currently works for the Suquamish Tribal Education Administration Department and enjoys spending time with her four children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Paulo Flores
Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations in Angola, author, composer and performer, Paulo Flores has been building for over thirty years a remarkable work, where poetry and melodies sustain a narrative that uniquely makes a translated portrait of the Angolan soul. He inscribes his work in a language that is based on the search for and appreciation of the Angolan musical heritage, with room for the influence of other musical genres. It appears today in this successful mixture of Caribbean, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and African influences.
Ana Lua Caiano
Tradition and innovation united by the hands of Ana Lua Caiano. The artist explores musical fusion, through the combination of traditional Portuguese music with electronic and “day-to-day sounds”. Creating melodies that refer to tradition - making use of choirs, harmonies and canons - in a union with synthesizers, beat-machines and sounds taken from everyday life, his music brings the traditional Portuguese heritage to the modern, electronic and technological world.
Tamikrest
...Tamikrest is a cutting-edge 21st-century rock group that just happens to live in the middle of one of the world’s most remote deserts... (quote of a fan)
Scúru Fitchádu
Scúru Fitchádu is a punk aesthetic solo project from Portuguese artist Sette Sujidade. It combines agressive basslines, heavy beats and traditional funana from Cape Verde islands.
Peter Culshaw
Peter Culshaw: Music journalist and composer exploring world music, documenting great musicians, and embarking on a spiritual musical journey.
DIDON: A Tunisian Tale
Carmen Rizzo, Two Time Grammy nominated Record Producer, Artist, Electronic Musician & Technologist & Meriem Ben Amor, a talented Tunisian Canadian singer known for her warm, ethereal voice and versatile musical abilities come together in the band Didon.
Wesli: Haitian Roots
Wesli's music reflects his artistic vision and his ability to blend distinctive styles to create something unique and inspiring. His work is a demonstration of the diversity and richness of Haitian music, highlighting its cultural significance and its potential to reach audiences worldwide.
Rivayat: A Look into Pakistan's Traditional Music
Mekaal Hasan, a talented musician and producer, created Rivayat, a unique music series showcasing Pakistan's rich traditional music heritage. This project, born during the COVID-19 lockdown, highlights the diverse and often underappreciated talent of working-class musicians from various regions.
Aynur
Aynur brings to life music that’s based on traditional folk songs, with many of them being at least 300 years old. Many of her lyrics are about the life of Kurdish people, and in particular, the joy and suffering of Kurdish women. She blends Kurdish with Western music, creating her own unique style that is both freshly modern and deeply rooted in tradition.
Erol Josué: Voodoo Pilgrimage
Josué was ordained as a priest of voodoo, also known as vodou, at the age of 17, and has since become a vocal advocate for the religion and its traditions. He has worked to dispel myths and stereotypes surrounding voodoo and to promote understanding and tolerance of Haitian culture both in Haiti and abroad.