Music Voyager, a new music and travel series that gives viewers a firsthand look at the most popular and exciting sounds of the planet, will begin broadcasting in February 2010 on PBS through American Public Television, on Nat Geo Music & Adventure and other international television and broadband outlets. The series follows host Jacob Edgar as he explores the globe in search of unexpected adventures and surprising discoveries that unveil the magic and mystery of music from near and far.
With local musicians as his guide, Edgar tastes exotic and occasionally ghastly food, visits off-the-beaten path attractions and parties the night away at amazing concerts in hidden venues that only the locals know. Along the way, viewers are rewarded with a VIP pass to nightclubs, festivals, recording studios and rehearsal rooms, experiencing an ear-opening journey along the world’s musical heartbeat.
In the first three thirty minute episodes of this ongoing series, Edgar travels to India, a country of extremes, where ancient history and tradition are colliding head on with the modern world. Edgar visits Mumbai, the capital of India’s entertainment industry, where he meets Kailash Kher and Sona, two of the country’s biggest stars, travels to Rajasthan where the music is as colorful and soulful as its surroundings, and explores Delhi’s vibrant and inventive underground rock, pop and electronica scene.
The next three segments bring viewers to Jamaica, one of the world’s great musical destinations. Edgar goes beyond the tourist resorts and beaches that attract most visitors, to explore the past, present and future of Jamaica’s vibrant music. He visits with some of the country’s top young reggae stars, looks at classic genres such as mento, ska and rocksteady then dives into the dancehall scene. Tarrus Riley, Richie Spice, Etana, Elephant Man, Marcia Griffiths and Ernest Ranglin are just a few of the intriguing artists Edgar meets along the journey.
In the following three episodes, Edgar travels to one of the most exotic and unusual locations of all – Los Angeles – for the Road to a GRAMMY special. In the build up to the star-studded awards ceremony, Music Voyager will travel across the US and beyond to visit five nominees for the 52nd GRAMMY Awards and invite them to give viewers an exclusive look at their personal background and inspirations.
An interactive, broadband social media campaign will allow global visitors to meet the nominees, share in the anticipation, and even influence the filming of the broadcast as it progresses.
The Music Voyager series is produced by Colorado-based Tantra World Wide, whose credits include The Music Box, The Abraham Song, The RockStar Diaries, as well as numerous music videos and live music projects across four continents. TantraWW specializes in leading edge multiple-platform productions that expand the role of traditional media to include broadband, interactive and other cutting edge experiences for its target audience.
Host Jacob Edgar’s travels as the music researcher for acclaimed label Putumayo World Music and president of successful indie label Cumbancha have taken him to dozens of countries and hundreds of the world’s greatest international music festivals, showcases and performance venues in search of exceptional musical talents.
Edgar’s journeys to remote Caribbean villages, trendy Parisian nightclubs, sultry Brazilian samba schools, rocking Indian jam sessions, the recording studios of Havana and many other adventures, have earned him unique access to the world of music, and now viewers of the Music Voyager are able to come along for the ride.
Music Voyager’s title sponsor is Harman International, one of the leading audio systems providers and developer of top brands such as AKG, JBL, Harman Kardon and many others.
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Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
