(headline image: Allison de Groot – Photo by Phil Cook) Steve Martin and the Board of The Steve Martin Banjo Prize announced in late December…
The Steve Martin Banjo Prize Board Announces 2024’s Winners
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.
Allison de Groot: A Modern Banjo Virtuoso Driving Old-Time Music Forward
Allison de Groot is a celebrated clawhammer banjoist recognized as one of the leading instrumentalists in the North American folk music scene. Born and raised…
José Almarcha’s ‘Un Nuevo Paseo’ Redefines Flamenco with a Modern Twist”
José Almarcha – Un Nuevo Paseo (self-released, 2024) Flamenco guitarist and composer José Almarcha has released his new album, Un Nuevo Paseo. This new set…
Inventive Brazilian Percussionist Fabio Bergamini
Fabio Bergamini holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from Unicamp (Campinas/SP) and furthered his studies in the United States (Berklee College of…
Vigüela: Keepers and Innovators of Central Spanish Traditions
Vigüela (strumming) is a group dedicated to preserving and celebrating the folk music of central Spain. Since its formation in the mid-1980s, the group has…
“Lion Awakes”: Amayo’s Spirited Solo Debut Bridges Afrobeat and Tradition
Amayo – Lion Awakes (2025) On January 17, 2025, Amayo, the former frontman of Antibalas and a trailblazer in Afrobeat, will release Lion Awakes, his…
Christine Zayed: An Expert Kanun Performer
Born into a musically inclined Palestinian family and raised between Jerusalem and Ramallah, Christine Zayed was introduced early to classical and contemporary Arabic music, as…
Nyron Higor’s Stunning Self-Titled Album at the Intersection of Brazilian Tradition and Innovation
Nyron Higor – Nyron Higor (Far Out Recordings, 2025) Nyron Higor is a highly talented Afro-Brazilian multi-instrumentalist from Maceió, Brazil. His new self-titled album, Nyron…
The Bagpipe, a Popular Solo and Marching Band Instrument
The bagpipe is a reed instrument, typically featuring either a single or double reed, with an air reservoir housed in a bag. A standard set…
Fabio Bergamini – 7 Portais: A Gathering of Global Percussion Traditions
Fabio Bergamini – 7 Portais (Belic Music, 2024) Fabio Bergamini’s 7 Portais is a captivating exploration of global percussion traditions. Indeed, he expertly combines ancient…