Featuring the most acclaimed artists from Africa September 15, 2017, The Town HallRare concert of two legends (Mergia opens for Ahmed) who were popularized in the West by the Éthiopiques compilation series, which has been key in highlighting the most influential artists from Ethiopia over the past 20 years. September 20, 2017, Brooklyn Bowl Seun Kuti continues the political ethos of his late father, Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, as the leader of his father’s band Egypt 80, adding his own twist to the music and digging into African traditions to reflect the continent's struggles and traditions. April 19, 2018, BAM Opera HouseSouth African jazz legends reunite and perform on one stage for the first time in almost 60 years in the U.S. on this historic tour. Featuring the most acclaimed artists from India September 17, 2017, Storm King Art Center One of the finest and most soulful sitar players to emerge from the Indian classical music scene in the UK. October 8, 2017, Merkin Hall Part of the prestigious Khan family, this virtuoso sitar player stands at the forefront of contemporary Indian classical music. November 17, 2017, 92Y One of the greatest living Hindustani classical musicians and a distinguished master of the bansuri—a North Indian bamboo flute. Artists from the Saharan region of Africa who are torchbearers of a centuries-old African musical tradition September 28, 2017, David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center New York debut of Moctar and his band The Tuareg guitarist with the unconventional style is one of the few original singer/songwriters willing to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre. September 29, 2017, (le) poisson rouge The legendary Group Doueh was founded in the '80s and has been playing in and around their native Dakhla, the capital of the Moroccan administrative region Dakla-Oued Ed-Dahad in the Western Sahara, ever since. NY-based Moroccan collective Innov Gnawa opens the show. November 8, 2017, (le) poisson rouge Named the biggest pop star of Mali by Rolling Stone, Koité is a brilliant guitarist who produces semi-acoustic interpretations of multiple ethnic traditions from his country. December 7, 2017, (le) poisson rouge United States debut Alhousseini Anivolla’s new trio from Niger brings traditional African songs of the Tamashek people of the Saharan desert into a new soundscape. May 3, 2018, David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center Led by Sadam, the youngest member of Tinariwen, Algeria's Imarhan provides a new take on Tuareg music. This series showcases artists who represent folkloric music from their respective cultures, preserving important cultural legacies October 1, 2017, Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center Trio of master throat singers from Tuva, a tiny Russian republic in Central Asia. What distinguishes them from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. October 14, 2017, Symphony Space Created by ten-time Latin Grammy winner Javier Limón, The Paco de Lucía Project reassembles the original band that toured with the legendary Flamenco guitarist for the last 10 years of his career. March 17, 2018, New York Society for Ethical Culture Wu Man has given the pipa, her lute-like instrument—which has a history of over 2,000 years in China—a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. Here she joins the ingenious Huayin Shadow Puppet Band. Contemporary artists who push the boundaries of what "world music” can mean in the 21st Century November 5, 2017, Skirball Center for Performing Arts A concert inspired by the acclaimed eponymous documentary which tells the story of The Sachal Ensemble as they struggle to survive in the oppression and brutality of modern day Pakistan. Works by Mancini, Brubeck, and Grusin blend with Pakistani traditions. November 16, 2017, (le) poisson rouge The Lebanese singer-songwriter is hailed as Arabic music's exciting new voice. November 19, 2017, Littlefield Theatrical and eccentric quartet from Kiev that reshapes ancient and contemporary Ukranian music. February 23, 2018, Littlefield Originating from Niger, a country of limited resources, the band embodies traditional roots and a tireless drive of joy. April 28, 2018, Brooklyn Bowl Fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, this group fuses African and electronic elements inspired by the golden era of West-African funk & disco and modern post-punk & electro. May 11, 2018, (le) poisson rouge The celebrated Inuit performer from Canada employs exquisite vocal improvisations that bridge traditional roots with contemporary culture. Tanya’s Inuit heritage is never far from mind, but instead of making her music nostalgic or folky, it has a political edge. Celebrating powerful and influential women vocalists from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking cultures and traditions across the world October 31, 2017, Pioneer Works The Portuguese superstar performs a rare and intimate concert of stripped-down traditional Fado as it would be heard in a small club in Lisbon. November 4, 2017, Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center An exceptional Israeli singer who sings in Ladino, an ancient form of the Spanish language that was kept alive by Sephardic Jews. April 5, 2018, The Town Hall This award-winning Fado singer's exquisite voice strolls freely through the Portuguese tradition, flirting with pop and broadening the soul-bearing genre to stunning results. April 7, 2018, Pioneer Works A singer, composer and choir director, Arocena carries the flame for a new generation of Cuban musicians. May 5, 2018, Littlefield This ensemble of women musicians from across the Americas hail from Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and the U.S., and sing in Spanish, Portuguese and English. Giving greater exposure to NY-based world music artists October 6, 2017, (le) poisson rouge Album release event Considered one of the most seminal works in minimalism, In C was inspired by the rhythmic patterns, drones and immersive nature of Indian raga. March 24, 2018, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Featuring three of today's finest young NY-based female singers from Muslim homelands: Emel Mathlouthi, Alsarah & The Nubatones, Farah Siraj. Highlighting developments in modern Jewish music, including klezmer, neo-Yiddish, and the vibrant contemporary scene that emerged in New York's downtown in the 1980s. January 20, 2018, The Town Hall Grammy-winning “Jewish roots band” is the most successful proponent of klezmer music in the world. February 3, 2018, Littlefield The downtown experimental klezmer group is joined by Senegalese Sabar drumming ensemble Alioune Faye & Yakar Rhythms, performing music from their collaborative recording, From the Belly of Abraham, as well as new material. April 12, 2018, Symphony Space This concert features three of the most exciting bands from the extended Masada family (Secret Chiefs, Banquet of the Spirits, Zion80) and will be an unforgettable evening of new Jewish music that runs the gamut of emotions, influences and styles. Cross-cultural musical collaborations between often surprising pairings June 8, 2018, (le) poisson rouge Collaboration between sitar legend Pt. Krishna Bhatt and the son and successor to pioneering minimalist Terry Riley’s great musical heritage, Gyan Riley.
June 28, 2018, 92Y Special collaboration between the Kronos Quartet and Korean musician Soo Yeun Looh, who is a haegeum (Korean two-string fiddle) player, composer and improviser. A look at today's African music scene in partnership with the iconic Apollo Theater March 3, 2018, The Apollo Theater In its sixth season, this year's Africa Now! spotlights the continent's contemporary trends in electronic music. Black Coffee headlines an evening that includes Tony Allen and Jeff Mills in first U.S. appearance as a duo. For four nights, five of Mali's musical ambassadors bring their revered art from one of Africa's most musically rich countries to New York City April 13, 2018, Brooklyn Bowl New York debut of this duo Rare father-and-son collaboration between one of the greatest living kora players and his son, the instrument’s emerging star. April 14, 2018, Brooklyn Bowl A highly acclaimed practitioner of Songhaï Music and the winner of two Malian national awards for best singer, Sidi’s music is steeped in Malian culture and desert blues tradition. April 15, 2018, Brooklyn Bowl Trio Da Kali unites three musicians from the Mande culture of southern Mali, who all come from a long line of distinguished griots. With a background in classical music and Indian Carnatic music, Derek Gripper brings the guitar and the music of Africa to life in new and exciting ways. April 16, 2018, Brooklyn Bowl Noted for her sensuous voice, Diawara writes songs that blend Wassalou traditions of Southern Mali with international influences.
Co-curated by Rajika Puri The seventh year of WMI's annual Indian classical dance festival April 21, 2018 Symphony Space United States premiere of "Murchhana, The Spirit of Sangeet" Widely recognized as one of the leading young performers of the Kuchipudi dance form, which has a lightness and dramatic quality that sets it apart from other styles. April 22, 2018, Symphony Space First United States tour of the Dancing Monks of Assam Traveling from beautiful monasteries on the river island of Majuli and surrounding Assam in Northeast India, the Dancing Monks and Philadelphia's Sattriya Dance Company perform the premiere of the dance-drama Sattriya: An Odyssey of the Spirit. |