San Francisco (California), USA - The 8th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards announced the nomination of Ojos de Brujo’s Techarí for “Best Flamenco Album.” The Barcelona based group recently came off a vibrant tour of the United States in late June of this year.
 
Breathtakingly innovative and yet faithful to their most ancient roots, Ojos de Brujo stands out as one of the truly original groups of the new millennium. Between their vibrant, bewitching musicality, radical, contemporary edge, and strong collective spirit, they possess a unique and unmistakable magic which shines through in everything they do. The music reflects their Spanish and gypsy heritage, but travels light years beyond traditional flamenco. Their live shows have become the stuff of legend, and they have left a path of sold-out shows and stunned audiences worldwide. Techarí  is their critically acclaimed album released on Six Degrees Records in North America.

Just a few weeks ago, a venue in San Diego, California denied on political grounds the use of their theater to renowned Lebanese musician Marcel Khalifé, after local concert organizers had already arranged the event with the Salvation Army, who operates the venue, The Joan B. Kroc Theatre at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center.

The possibly discriminatory incident demonstrates the misperceptions and tensions that exist in today’s political climate towards Arabs, even those who advocate for peace. Concert organizers—who had been in touch with the venue for several months and had followed their application process rigorously—were told that a concert by Khalifé—an UNESCO Artist for Peace— would be "divisive" and "unbalanced" because it does not present an Israeli artist alongside Khalifé.

Bassam Saba and April Centrone are going to Greece to record with Alekos K. Vretos for his new project. Bassam is a splendid and world renowned nay and flute player and met with Alekos during the 2nd Arabic Music Retreat, where he was functioning as an instructor. April is a world class musician percussionist and she is currently in Basam Saba's band.

Alekos K. Vretos is currently preparing his new album. The actual recording is going to be completed by February 2008, and the album is going to be released some time after that.The recordings will take place under the  supervision of the great master Simon Shaheen.

Great musicians that have trusted the talent of the young virtuoso Vretos, will team up for this creation of good music. Master Shaheen is bound to push Vretos to his limits, given that he is his teacher and knows how to motivate him.

Prominent architect Frank Gehry will design a set for a performance by Portuguese fado singer Mariza later this year. Gehry, renowned for his stunning and daring urban visions, has agreed to create a taverna-inspired stage for Mariza 's performance in October at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
 
 Gehry said he met Mariza several years ago in Lisbon and was enamored by fado, Portuguese folk music that often has mournful lyrics. The music genre began in working-class neighborhoods and was performed in tavernas where people sat at tables singing and drinking wine.

Concert Preview
 Michel Camilo trio
 Jazz Alley, Seattle, Washington
 September 13--16, 2007
 
 GRAMMY and two-time Latin GRAMMY Award winner pianist Michel Camilo returned to the straight-ahead jazz trio setting with the April 24, 2007 release of Spirit of the Moment. Camilo will be celebrating this recording at Seattle's Jazz Alley--Thursday, September 13th through Sunday, September 16th. Camilo will be joined by Cuban bassist Charles Flores and Cuban drummer (new to the trio), Dafnis Prieto. The show times for Thursday through Saturday are 7:30 and 9:30. On Sunday there is only a 7:30 p.m. performance.

Berlin, Germany -  As part of the 2007 World Music Labels Awards WOMEX announced the names of the Top 15 World Music CDs of the year. The awards are presented by WOMEX and the World Music Charts Europe (WMCE) to the top-20 chart topping music labels. The Top 3 labels will be honored at the Sunday, October 28th, award ceremony at WOMEX Sevilla.

Top 15 World Music CDs of the year:

London, UK - Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Secretary of State for Children, Ed Balls, have received copies of the song for autism, 'Open Every Door,' the cover version recorded by British musician Rozagy, who lives in Birmingham. Rozagy was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. Her song has just been released in London.
 
 Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder, over 500,000 people in the United Kingdom are on the autism spectrum, according to estimates over 90,000 children are autistic. UK researchers have stated that 1 in 100 children have autism.

Portuguese singer Mariza has been nominated for a Latin GRAMMY Award for her album Concerto em Lisboa, in the   category of 'Best Folk Album'.
 
 The album is a live recording of Mariza with symphonic orchestra Sinfonietta de Lisboa, conducted by Jaques Morelenbaum in the lush gardens of Belem, Lisbon. It was released in Europe in November 2006 (EMI/World Connection) and in March 2007 in North America (Times Square Records/ World Connection).

Mandolin phenomenon Hamilton de Holanda has just been nominated for his first Latin Grammy award. The nomination is for his critically acclaimed debut for Adventure Music, Brasilianos, which was released in the summer of 2006.
 
 "I am thrilled to be nominated,” said De Holanda, speaking from Rio. “It is a personal honor and it also acknowledges the new generation of young virtuoso musicians who are mixing the best Brazilian spices into a universal musical pot,” he continued. “Maybe the best way to define what we are all doing is ‘modern is tradition,’ since we strive to remain true to the many artists who have inspired us, such as Hermeto Pascoal, Egberto Gismonti, Baden Powell, Pixinguinha, and Villa Lobos.”