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RIP King Achilla Orru Apaa-idomo
Written while listening to Achilla’s 2004 CD, Dho-Mach (Sacred Gift)… The Ugandan and Canadian world music communities received sad news this past week, that lukeme player Achilla Orru passed away at the age of 53. apparently as the result of heart disease. Some information about his passing is on this page, written by Davies Bagambiire. […]
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Townes Van Zandt tribute (from No Depression)
Last week, Kevin Norton wrote a tribute on the No Depression website to the great Texas singer-songwriter, Townes Van Zandt, who died New Year’s Day, sixteen years ago. This sentence captured some of the flavour of his talent, his music, and his demons: If there was ever a musician that fit the mold of Robert […]
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Roots of rock & roll: “hillbilly & blues/R&B”
I came across this 1951 video of the great Western Swing Band, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys on Twitter recently (posted by Afropop Worldwide no less!), singing their 1930’s hit “Ida Red” — a song first recorded a decade earlier (by Fiddlin’ Powers and Family), and has roots back to an 1878 popular song, […]
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Sleepwalk Guitar Festival: A weekend of guitar greats and legends
You won’t be able to sleepwalk through this guitar extravaganza. The 2nd annual Sleepwalk Guitar Festival at The Great Hall on the weekend of Nov. 2-4, sponsored by Six Shooter Records and curated by Luke Doucet will be filled with guitar stars and legends: in concert, in workshops and in interview sessions. The festival website […]
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“Music in Mali” documentary
Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good: Via Afropop Worldwide, I came across information on this recently completed documentary about Malian music (filmed before the tragic fighting and repression in that great country). The film is produced by Kanaga System Krush (KSK) Records, but at this point, I don’t have any information on any screenings or […]
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Using (American) “world” musicians to sell America
Interesting article on CBC News website about an interesting new US advertising campaign using its diversity to sell America as a tourist destination. It’s an intriguing approach for what is the first national tourism ad campaign since the days of Ronald Reagan. Read the article here. Video featuring Roseanne Cash and a world of accompanying […]
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Graceland/Under African Skies: released & reviewed
I’ve posted a couple of items recently about Under African Skies, the excellent documentary about Paul Simon’s groundbreaking Graceland album, released 25 years go. The documentary includes footage of original recording sessions, Simon’s first return to South Africa last year, and the international political controversy it caused from his breaking of the UN’s cultural boycott […]
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Afrocubism at Luminato, June 12: A Big Deal
I’ve posted several items about Afrocubism here and in the newsletter over the past couple of years, but it’s worthwhile commenting again about what a remarkable collection of musicians will be assembled on the stage at Luminato on the evening of June 12, for a free concert. This website has a particular focus on African […]
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Luminato & other festival info
Part 1 of the summer festival notes. Check www.events.to-music.ca for details on these and many other events. Summer festival time kicks is here, kicking off this weekend with The Afrofest launch event tonight Beginning Friday, 10 amazing days of free Luminato concerts & the annual free Muhatadi International Drumming Festival Saturday. Afrofest launch: June 7 […]
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Supporting the Ubuntu Learning Village in Zimbabwe (Mutamba Rainos)
Most people around the African music community know Mutamba Rainos, an mbira player/singer/dancer/percussionist with Nhapitapi, and formerly with Masaisai. He’s also a storyteller, chef, and (as of this fall), PhD student at OISE. However he also created an important project in rural Zimbabwe, the Ubuntu Learning Village. He is in Zimbabwe for four months now, […]