Laura Cortese’s World Sessions

Laura Cortese – All in Always (Cortese Music, 2016)

On the album “All in Always“, American fiddler and composer Laura Cortese went beyond her American folk roots to explore the music of three countries and regions.  

Laura Cortese held a series of sessions with musicians from Galicia (Spain), Quebec (Canada) and Sweden. Although all the tracks are original compositions by Cortese, they are rooted in the three different folk traditions.

“For years I’ve flirted with the idea of writing an entirely instrumental album,” said Cortese about this world music album. “In June 2014, inspired by all night jam sessions and the euphoric sunrises that followed them, I channeled my burgeoning admiration into writing fiddle tunes and began making plans for an overseas adventure to Spain, Sweden and Quebec.“

The lineup includes Laura Cortese on fiddle.

Galician Sessions: Xosé Liz on bouzouki; Anxo Pintos on zanfona (hurdy gurdy); and Chisco Feijoo on vocals and frame drum.

Swedish Session: Jonas Bleckman on cello; Adam Johansson on guitar; and Jens Linell on tambourine.

Quebec Sessions: Yann Falquet on guitar, melodeon and jaw harp; Pierre-Luc Dupuis on melodeon, chromatic harp, podorythmie (foot rhythm);  and Dominic Desrochers on step dancing.

Laura Cortese grew up in San Francisco (California) and later relocated to Boston to study violin at Berklee College of Music. Cortese currently lives in Belgium.

“All in Always“ delivers a superb collection of well-constructed and timeless instrumental pieces rooted in Quebecois, Galician, and Swedish folk traditions.

Buy the album from lauracortese.bandcamp.com/album/all-in-always

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.