World Music Central.org

From Serbia comes Branco Stoysin. He is now based in the United Kingdom and has been touring extensively, bringing stimulating folk melodies performed on the guitar to British audiences. His material includes his own compositions and traditional pieces as well as works by other composers. His CD Heart Is the Bridge is available in North America.

Virtuoso classical guitarist Kuefei Yang has become one of the most important guitarists within the classical genre in recent years. On 40 Degrees North she performs by pieces by some of the finest Spanish composers of the 20th century, Albéniz, Tárrega and Granados.  But she also pays tribute to Chinese folk music. There is also a suite by Stephen Goss titled The Chinese Garden, which is inspired by Chinese motifs.

Guitarist Leni Stern turns to the traditions of West Africa for her latest recording, Africa. Stern’s guitar style comes from the jazz tradition, but on Africa she immerses herself in what many call African blues, the music of Mali. Most of the album was recorded in Bamako, the capital of Mali and Stern invited some of the finest instrumentalists and singers in the area.

Jim Stubblefield blends guitar with other instruments such as viola, venturing into Flamenco, Latin music and classical. On his latest CD, Guitarra Exotica his sound is clearly influenced by the Latin guitar style of Strunz and Farah.

Singaporese guitarist Konstatine Anderson plays short melodic pieces on Guitar Masterpieces – Solo Instrumental. The gentle songs range from classical to folk melodies with an Asian flavor.