Afel Bocoum was in Niafunké, Mali in 1955. Afel grew up immersed in music. His father was a respected violinist and his uncle was iconic…
Artist Profiles: Afel Bocoum
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.
Artist Profiles: Emma Björling
Emma Björling is one of the leading singers of Swedish folk songs performing these days. She is a member of the bands Lyy and Skye…
Malian Blues from Remote Mali
Ali Farka Touré – Niafunké (World Circuit Music, 1999) Niafunké is a now classic world music album released in 1999 by the great Malian musician…
Interview with Latin Jazz Musician and Educator John Santos
Latin Jazz percussionist, educator, and social activist John Santos is set to release a new album titled ‘Art of the Descarga‘ on August 7, 2020…
Splendid Southern Chinese Music Ornamented with Western Brushstrokes
Daniel Ho and The Suzhou Masters – Embroidering Melodies (Wind Music, 2020) American ukulele maestro, composer and arranger Daniel Ho continues his tours of China…
Bellemou Messaoud, Rai Innovator
Bellemou Messaoud – Le père du raï (World Circuit, 1989) This album presents the music of Algerian musician Bellemou Messaoud, known as the father of…
Artist Profiles: Trio Balkan Strings
Trio Balkan Strings consists of Zoran Starcevic and sons. The trio performs original instrumental music, a fusion of Balkan elements: Serbian, Gypsy, Romanian, Bulgarian, Moldavian,…
Artist Profiles: Lelo Nika
Accordion virtuoso and composer Lelo Nika was born in Serbia in 1969. He was proclaimed by Joe Zawinul as “the greatest accordion player I’ve ever…
Artist Profiles: Thione Seck
Thione Ballago Seck was born on March 12th, 1955. He grew up in a family of musicians and began his career as a griot, learning…
Artist Profiles: Kiko Veneno
José María López Sanfeliu, better known as Kiko Veneno, was born April 3, 1952 in Figueras, northeastern Spain and grew up in Cadiz, southern Spain.…