Prestigious world music presenter Robert Browning Associates has announced the program for February-April 2024. The winter/spring season features an exciting concert of Malian music with ngoni (lute) virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba (Feb 17); Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, Pakistan’s award-winning ensemble representing 26 generations of ecstatic qawwali music (Mar 8); Antonia Jiménez, one of the few female soloists in flamenco guitar, and Inma La Carbonera, a passionate singer from Seville, in a captivating program that is part of Flamenco Festival New York (Mar 9).
Furthermore, the series continues with a soulful evening of Armenian music with duduk (ancient oboe) virtuoso Arsen Petrosyan, world-renowned oud (lute) player Ara Dinkjian, and a string quartet from the Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony (Apr 6); the remarkable kanun (zither) player Firas Zreik, who has been called the “Paco de Lucia of the Qanun” for his performances and compositions in Arabic music (Apr 20); and a weekend of Indian masters featuring the celebrated sitarist Shahid Parvez (Apr 26) and the excellent sarod (lute) player Alam Khan (Apr 27).
Robert Browning has presented world music since April 1976. From his extensive work at the Alternative Center for International Arts / Alternative Museum to his 26-year tenure at World Music Institute (which he co-founded and directed from 1985 to 2011) and his nine years as the director of Robert Browning Associates, he has presented over 2,400 concerts of world music and dance from internationally renowned figures and emerging artists from over 100 regions.
Concert Schedule
Sat Feb 17, 8pm – Blues of Mali: Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba*
Fri March 8, 8pm – Sufi Chants of Pakistan: Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers*
Sat March 9, 8pm – Flamenco Festival – Antonia Jiménez & Inma La Carbonera**
Sat April 6, 8pm – Music of Armenia: Ara Dinkjian, Arsen Petrosyan and String Quartet from the Chamber Players of the Greenwich Symphony*
Sat April 20, 8pm – New Journeys in Arabic Music: Firas Zreik & His Ensemble***
Fri April 26, 8pm – Indian Masters: Shahid Parvez*
Sat April 27, 8pm – Indian Masters: Alam Khan*
*Presented by Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette
**Presented by Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance and Roulette in partnership with Flamenco Festival
***Presented by Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in association with Brooklyn Maqam
All concerts are co-presented with Roulette and Lotus Music & Dance and take place at: Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn
Tickets: Box office: 917-267-0363 roulette.org
Feb 17 & Mar 8: $35 in advance; $40 at door; students, seniors $30 (in advance & at door)
Mar 9, Apr 6, Apr 20, Apr 26 & Apr 27: $31 in advance; $36 at door; students, seniors $26 (in advance & at door)
Please note that there is a $2.50 processing fee per ticket for advance sales
More information at robertbrowningassociates.com
(headline image: Photo credits: Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: Jonathan Fischer; Hamza Akram Qawwal: PNCA Pakistan National Council of Arts; Ara Dinkjian: Alena Soboleva; Firas Zreik: Felicia Abban)
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central