Show Review of Dan Rumsey in St. Paul, Minnesota
by Susan Budig I’ve found something better to do than sleep-in on a Sunday morning. Instead of indulging in sweet slumber, on July 20th ,…
Arabic Music Retreat – 2003
Simon Shaheen is hosting the Seventh Annual Arabic Music Retreat at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA USA. August 9-16, 2003. The Retreat gathers…
Malagasy Valiha Master, Sylvestre Randafison Dies at 75
Madagascar – Sylvestre Randafison, a key figure in the development of Madagascar’s most famous instrument, the valiha, passed away July 12. Born Randafison Benjamin Sylvestre,…
Senegalese Kora Master Kaouding Cissoko Dies at 38
Senegal – Kaouding Cissoko, a master kora player and member of Baaba Maal’s band, passed away on July 17th. Cissoko was a diabetic and had…
Abundant Latin Heat From Two New Rough Guides
Various Artists – The Rough Guide to Latin Jazz (RGNET 1089 CD, 2003) Various Artists – The Rough Guide to Salsa De Puerto Rico (RGNET…
Salif Keita Cancels North American Tour
Boston, USA – Malian star Salif Keita has cancelled his 2003 summer tour of the United States and Canada. There are few details as to…
Colombian Vallenato Legend Dies
Valedupar, Colombia – Francisco “Pacho” Rada Batista died of natural causes late in the evening on July 16. Surrounded by his large family and thousands…
Mali’s Blind Couple- Great Match, Great Music
Amadou and Mariam Wati (Circular Moves CIM 7011, 2003) Known as “The Blind Couple of Mali” when they first began to make a splash in…
Ghana Government to Tax Commercialized Folklore
Ghana – A second version of the Ghanaian government’s copyright administration is seeking to place a tax on any commercialize use of folklore traditions. The…
Rubén Blades Pursues Law Career
Panama – Renaissance man Ruben Blades once again is surprising fans and admirers with his decision to return to his native Panama to serve the…