The Best World Music Artists
World music is an easy way for people to describe the melding traditional and nontraditional music from foreign countries. Generally, world music refers to sounds from the non-Western part of the world. Known for its fusion, world music was term coined in the 1960s and also includes the incorporation of traditional instruments from other parts of the world that haven't been used primarily by Western artists. The beauty of World music artists is that their sound, while entrenched and grounded in Eastern music, it can mean any type of traditional sound as long as it's from there.
So, what are the best World music artists? Any list needs to have Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Jonathan Scales, Trilok Gurtu and Loreena McKennitt on any world music artists list. These are among the most well known artists in the genre and their music is as unique as any. They incorporate new age and foreign sounds that is not only unique, but allows for them to stand out from many of their contemporaries.
That said, it's up to you to decide what are the best World music artists. It's not an easy question, but ultimately it's your job to decide. If you notice someone is missing from the list, feel free to add them. This list answers the questions "who are the best world music bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest world music musician ever?" If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the band's music instead of just voting for the most popular world music bands that you might've heard of. {#nodes}
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a Pakistani qawwali singer, possessed an extraordinary gift for improvisation and vocal range, which allowed him to dazzle audiences worldwide with his soul-stirring performances. Often referred to as the "King of Qawwali", a genre of devotional Sufi music, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan garnered international attention by collaborating with Western musicians like Peter Gabriel and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Khan's unique ability to infuse Qawwali with contemporary sounds and genres, such as rock, opera, and electronic music, showcased the versatility of World Music, breaking down cultural barriers and propelling the genre into the modern era. Through his captivating voice and innovative approach, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan indelibly influenced the World Music scene.
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Irish singer, songwriter, and musician Enya is known for her distinctive blend of ethereal vocals, lush synthesizers, and Celtic melodies, which have earned her a revered place in the World Music canon. Her meticulous layering of voices, often singing in multiple languages or inventing her own, creates an otherworldly atmosphere that transports listeners beyond the borders of traditional music. With over 80 million albums sold worldwide, Enya has played a crucial role in popularizing New Age and Celtic music, proving the genre's accessibility to mainstream audiences and paving the way for future World Music artists. Her captivating fusion of ancient and modern sounds has set a new standard for what World Music can achieve.
Bobby McFerrin, an American vocalist and conductor, has captivated audiences worldwide with his extraordinary ability to effortlessly blend a kaleidoscope of sounds and genres, from jazz and classical to African and Indian music. McFerrin's signature style, characterized by his impressive vocal range and innovative use of body percussion, has earned him a unique place in the realm of World Music. Best known for his iconic hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy," McFerrin has consistently demonstrated his versatility and ingenuity, collaborating with renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Chick Corea. Bobby McFerrin's ability to break down musical barriers and forge connections across cultures has left an indelible mark on the World Music scene.
Canadian singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Loreena McKennitt is known for her beguiling fusion of Celtic, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mediterranean musical influences, creating a rich and enchanting soundscape for listeners to explore. Her distinctive voice, ethereal yet soulful, weaves together ancient poetry and folklore with modern arrangements, offering a fresh take on traditional melodies. With classics like "The Mummer's Dance" and "The Mystic's Dream," McKennitt has played an integral role in popularizing Celtic and world fusion music, paving the way for future artists in the genre. Her enchanting and innovative approach continues to leave an indelible mark on the World Music landscape.
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Ibrahim Ferrer
Cuban vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer, best known for his association with the Buena Vista Social Club, was a leading figure in the popularization of Cuban music on the international stage. His soulful voice and charismatic stage presence captivated audiences around the world, while his collaborations with artists such as Ry Cooder and the Afro-Cuban All Stars further solidified his status as a World Music icon. Ferrer's posthumously released album Mi Sueño serves as a fitting testament to his life's work, showcasing his passion for the rich musical traditions of Cuba and his dedication to sharing them with the world. Ibrahim Ferrer's enduring impact on the global music scene is a testament to the powerful connections that can be forged through music.
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Teofilo Chantre & Cesaria Evora
Scottish folk ensemble Capercaillie, led by the enchanting vocals of Karen Matheson, has been at the forefront of the Celtic World Music scene since the 1980s, thanks to their unique fusion of traditional Gaelic music with contemporary genres like pop, jazz, and electronica. Their innovative arrangements of ancient Scottish melodies and modern instrumentation have garnered them a devoted following and have played a pivotal role in popularizing Celtic music worldwide. Albums like Secret People and Nàdurra showcase the group's ability to preserve their rich cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of traditional music, offering listeners a fresh and vibrant take on the sounds of Scotland. Capercaillie's enduring impact on the World Music genre has inspired countless artists to explore the vast potential of traditional music in a modern context.
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Banda Ionica
Italian ensemble Banda Ionica is known for its energetic and passionate fusion of traditional Sicilian brass band music with contemporary influences, resulting in a vibrant and stirring sound that has captivated audiences worldwide. Their album Matri Mia, which translates to My Mother in Sicilian dialect, showcases the group's unique approach to World Music, combining powerful horn arrangements, lively percussion, and infectious melodies that are both rooted in tradition and boldly innovative. Banda Ionica's dedication to shining a light on the rich musical heritage of Sicily while also pushing the boundaries of World Music has earned them a devoted following and a well-deserved place in the global music canon.
Dead Can Dance, founded by Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry in 1981, skillfully combines an array of global influences, from European medieval music to Indigenous Australian sounds, creating a distinct World Music experience. Their ethereal vocals and atmospheric arrangements transport the listener through time, exploring ancient cultures and spiritual themes in a hypnotic, transcendent manner. The group’s ability to experiment with a fusion of diverse instruments – such as the hurdy-gurdy and the hammered dulcimer – allows them to breathe new life into traditional melodies while carving out their own niche in World Music. Dead Can Dance has profoundly impacted the genre, introducing listeners to the rich tapestry of global sounds and raising the bar for World Music artists.
Ravi Shankar, an Indian sitar virtuoso and composer, played a pivotal role in popularizing Indian classical music in the Western world, notably through his collaborations with George Harrison of the Beatles and his appearance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Shankar's intricate and mesmerizing sitar playing introduced a new sound to Western audiences, sparking a fascination with Indian music that would endure for decades. His unwavering dedication to preserving the art of Indian classical music while pushing the boundaries of musical fusion set a high standard for World Music artists to aspire to. Ravi Shankar's far-reaching impact on the global music landscape has solidified his legacy as a true giant of World Music.
Ali Farka Touré, a Malian guitarist and singer, is often hailed as a key figure in bridging the gap between African traditional music and the American blues. His mesmerizing guitar work, reminiscent of John Lee Hooker's Delta blues style, blends seamlessly with West African rhythms and melodies, creating a rich tapestry of sound that has captivated audiences for decades. Touré’s collaborations with renowned artists such as Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal have further enriched the World Music landscape, shining a light on the deep roots that connect the music of various cultures. The enduring legacy of Ali Farka Touré serves as a testament to the power of music to bridge divides and bring people together from all corners of the globe.
Hailing from Benin, West Africa, Angélique Kidjo is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and activist whose eclectic blend of Afrobeat, pop, reggae, and jazz has captured the hearts of music lovers worldwide. Her bold and energetic fusion of diverse musical styles not only showcases her African heritage but also defies categorization, resulting in a truly global sound. Kidjo's fearless approach to addressing social and political issues through her music, coupled with her collaborations with artists such as Alicia Keys, Bono, and Peter Gabriel, have cemented her reputation as a trailblazer in the World Music genre. Angélique Kidjo's unwavering dedication to bridging cultural divides and empowering others through her music has earned her a well-deserved place among the greats of World Music.
Fela Kuti, a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and bandleader, is heralded as the pioneering force behind Afrobeat, having successfully blended West African rhythms with American jazz and funk in the 1960s and '70s. His music, political in nature, served as a powerful instrument for change against a backdrop of oppression and social inequality in Africa, amplifying the voices of the disenfranchised. Fela Kuti's spearheading of Afrobeat not only introduced listeners to intoxicating, intricate rhythms but also demonstrated the power of music as a unifying force capable of bridging cultural divides. With his innovative and influential work, Fela Kuti's legacy lives on as an icon in the annals of World Music history.
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Afro Celt Sound System
Afro Celt Sound System is a UK-based musical collective known for their groundbreaking fusion of Irish, West African, and electronic music styles. Formed in the mid-1990s, the group has captivated audiences with their unique blend of traditional Celtic instruments like the uilleann pipes and bodhrán with African percussion, creating a vibrant, danceable soundscape. Albums such as Volume 1: Sound Magic and Volume 2: Release highlight the group's ability to experiment with diverse sonic textures while maintaining a strong connection to their cultural roots. Afro Celt Sound System's innovative approach to World Music has left an indelible mark on the genre and inspired countless artists to follow in their footsteps.
Ilaiyaraaja, an Indian composer, conductor, and songwriter, is widely regarded as a pioneer in incorporating various musical styles into the South Indian cinema. His unique fusion of Indian classical music with Western classical, folk, jazz, and rock has resulted in a distinct sound that has resonated deeply with audiences across the globe. With over 7,000 songs to his credit, Ilaiyaraaja has played a significant role in popularizing Tamil and other South Indian music worldwide. His relentless pursuit of musical innovation and ability to experiment with different genres make Ilaiyaraaja an undeniable force in the World Music realm.
Austrian-born keyboardist and composer Joe Zawinul was a pioneering force in the fusion of jazz with World Music, seamlessly blending African, Indian, and South American styles into his compositions. As a founding member of the seminal fusion bands Weather Report and the Zawinul Syndicate, he crafted a rich and diverse sonic palette that has left an indelible mark on the global music scene. Zawinul's explorations in World Music extended beyond his work with these bands, as demonstrated in his collaborations with artists such as Trilok Gurtu and Salif Keita. Joe Zawinul's fearless forays into cross-cultural musical collaboration stand as a testament to the limitless potential of World Music.
Senegalese singer, composer, and percussionist Youssou N'Dour is celebrated for his dynamic fusion of traditional African music with Western styles such as pop, jazz, and soul, garnering him global recognition. Often referred to as the "voice of Africa," N'Dour has been instrumental in introducing traditional Senegalese music, such as mbalax, to audiences around the world, while collaborating with renowned artists like Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and Sting. His lyrics often center around social justice issues, emphasizing the power of music as a vehicle for change in the global community. Youssou N'Dour's incredible musical range and dedication to promoting African culture have made him a cornerstone of World Music.
Yemenite-Israeli singer Ofra Haza, known as the "Israeli Madonna," captivated the world with her enchanting blend of Middle Eastern and Western sounds, melding ancient Hebrew poetry and traditional Yemenite songs with contemporary pop and electronic music elements. Her groundbreaking album Fifty Gates of Wisdom propelled her onto the international stage, leading to collaborations with artists like Iggy Pop and Sisters of Mercy. Haza's ability to seamlessly weave her cultural heritage into modern music styles not only expanded the boundaries of World Music but also served as a symbol of unity in a region fraught with conflict. Ofra Haza's groundbreaking work continues to influence and inspire World Music artists today.
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Salif Keïta
Malian singer-songwriter Salif Keita, known as the "Golden Voice of Africa," is a legend in the world of African music and World Music, thanks to his extraordinary vocal range and powerful fusion of traditional Malian sounds with influences from jazz, rock, and R&B. Hailing from a noble lineage but rejected by his family due to his albinism, Keita has forged his path in the music world, consistently pushing the boundaries of African music and forging meaningful connections with international audiences. With albums like Mouffou and Amen, he weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that leaves a lasting impact on listeners' hearts and minds. Salif Keita's powerful voice and tireless dedication to sharing the beauty of African music have made him a beloved figure in the World Music community.
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Värttinä
Finnish folk ensemble Värttinä, formed in the early 1980s, has been instrumental in revitalizing traditional Finnish music and introducing it to a worldwide audience. The group is known for its powerful vocal harmonies, intricate rhythms, and incorporation of ancient runo poetry, resulting in a vibrant and energetic musical experience. Albums such as Outo Kanteletar and Iki showcase Värttinä's ability to meld traditional music styles with contemporary sounds, offering a fresh take on Finnish folklore. Their innovative approach to World Music has attracted a dedicated following and inspired numerous artists to explore the vast potential of traditional music in a modern context.
- Ismaël Lô (also Ismaël Lo) is a Senegalese musician and actor. He was born in Dogondoutchi, Niger on 30 August 1956, to a Senegalese father and a Nigerien mother. Shortly after Lo's birth the family returned to Senegal where they settled in the town of Rufisque, near the capital Dakar. He plays guitar and harmonica, and has been called "the Bob Dylan of Africa". In the 1970s, Lo studied at the School of Art in Dakar. He later joined the popular group Super Diamono, but left in 1984 to start a solo career. Over the next four years Lo recorded five popular solo albums. In 1988, he composes the soundtrack for Ousmane Sembene's Camp de Thiaroye and plays in it. He will also star in Moussa Sene Absa's film Tableau Ferraille (Iron Landscape), in 1996, and compose more soundtracks. In 1990, Lo signed a recording deal with Barclay and recorded in France his seventh solo album, Ismael Lo. Thanks to the success of the single "Tajabone" the album became a hit in the European charts. The album launched Lo’s international career. Iso was recorded and released in 1994, and also became a success. The album contains soft guitar melodies and traditional Senegalese mbalax. The following year Lo toured in Africa. The compilation album Jammu Africa was released in 1996. The song "Without Blame" is a duet with Marianne Faithfull. Lo's song "Tajabone" was featured in Pedro Almodóvar's film All About My Mother. In 2002, he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor. His latest album Sénégal was recorded in Dakar, Paris and London. Lo says of it, "Giving this album the title Sénégal was my way of paying tribute to my own country, in recognition of all its gifts to me".The film Shake Hands with the Devil (2007), about the Rwandan genocide, starts with Lo's song "Jammu Africa".
Brian Jones, best known as a founding member of the Rolling Stones, was a visionary musician whose enthusiasm for exploring diverse musical genres played a key role in the popularization of World Music in the 1960s. His introduction of Eastern instruments such as the sitar and Moroccan percussion on iconic tracks like "Paint It, Black" showcased his adventurous spirit and willingness to embrace sounds from around the globe. Jones's pioneering work with the Master Musicians of Joujouka further exemplified his commitment to bridging cultural gaps and fostering global musical connections. Though his life was tragically cut short, Brian Jones's innovative spirit and fearless exploration of musical boundaries have left an indelible mark on the World Music landscape.
Babatunde Olatunji, a Nigerian drummer, percussionist, and educator, was instrumental in introducing West African drumming traditions to the United States and the broader global community. His groundbreaking album, Drums of Passion, released in 1959, showcased his mastery of the Yoruba drumming style and became a landmark not only in World Music but also in the popularization of African music in the West. Olatunji's collaboration with artists such as John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, and Carlos Santana further solidified his status as a trailblazer in World Music. Babatunde Olatunji's passion for sharing the rich traditions of African drumming has left an indelible mark on the global music scene.
Manu Chao, a French-born singer and guitarist of Spanish descent, has consistently pushed the boundaries of World Music with his distinctive fusion of Latin, reggae, punk, and ska. His knack for combining an array of languages and styles in a single song has appealed to a global audience, while his thought-provoking lyrics tackle pressing social and political issues, making his music as powerful as it is infectious. Chao's groundbreaking albums, such as Clandestino and Proxima Estación: Esperanza, serve as shining examples of how music can transcend cultural barriers and create a universal experience. With his unique sound and passionate activism, Manu Chao has become an emblematic figure in the World Music genre.
Chilean ensemble Inti-Illimani has been a leading force in the popularization of Andean and Latin American music since the 1960s, known for their captivating fusion of traditional folk melodies with contemporary sounds. Their politically charged lyrics, often inspired by the social and political struggles of their homeland, have resonated deeply with audiences around the world, making them a symbol of the power of music to effect change. With over 30 albums to their credit, Inti-Illimani has continued to explore the vast potential of World Music, showcasing their ability to preserve their cultural heritage while also pushing the boundaries of musical expression. Inti-Illimani's powerful and uplifting sound has left an indelible mark on the World Music landscape.
American guitarist and composer Ry Cooder has carved out a unique niche in the world of music, thanks to his remarkable ability to absorb and integrate a vast range of global styles into his work. From his early days as a blues prodigy to his collaborations with acclaimed musicians like Ali Farka Touré, Cooder has consistently demonstrated a deep reverence for traditional music and a relentless drive to push boundaries. Perhaps his most famous project, the 1997 album Buena Vista Social Club, which showcased the talents of Cuban musicians who had been largely forgotten, is hailed as a masterpiece of World Music. Ry Cooder's extraordinary musical journey serves as a prime example of the boundless potential of cross-cultural collaboration.
British guitarist John McLaughlin has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in the World Music genre, thanks to his groundbreaking fusion of jazz, rock, and Indian classical music. As the founder of the influential Mahavishnu Orchestra, McLaughlin demonstrated his ability to channel the complex rhythms and melodic nuance of Indian music through his virtuosic guitar playing. His collaborations with esteemed musicians such as Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, and Paco de Lucía further showcase his passion for transcending boundaries and embracing the global soundscape. John McLaughlin's innovative approach to bridging musical traditions has inspired countless artists and solidified his place in World Music history.
- Dulce José Silva Pontes (Portuguese: [ˈduɫs(ɨ) ʒuˈzɛ ˈsiɫvɐ ˈpõtɨʃ], born April 8, 1969) is a Portuguese songwriter and singer who performs in many musical styles, including pop, folk, and classical music. She is usually defined as a world music artist. Her songs contributed to the 1990s revival of Portuguese urban folk music called fado.
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Omara Portuondo
Omara Portuondo is an actress who appeared in "Buena Vista Social Club: Adios," "Buena Vista Social Club," and "Barroco." The late American saxophonist and flutist Charlie Mariano was a pioneering figure in the fusion of jazz with World Music, thanks to his adventurous spirit and willingness to embrace diverse musical styles and instruments. Over the course of a career spanning seven decades, Mariano fearlessly delved into a wide range of musical genres, from Indian classical music to the sounds of the Far East, consistently breaking down barriers and forging connections across cultures. His collaborations with artists such as The Karnataka College of Percussion and Eberhard Weber showcased his ability to seamlessly blend seemingly disparate musical influences into a cohesive and powerful whole. Charlie Mariano's ceaseless quest for new musical horizons has left an indelible mark on the World Music genre and has inspired countless artists to follow in his footsteps.
Italian guitarist, DJ, and producer Nicola Conte is celebrated for his distinctive blend of Bossa Nova, jazz, and electronic music, creating a stylish and sophisticated sound that has captivated listeners around the world. With influences ranging from Brazilian samba to African rhythms, Conte's music exudes a cosmopolitan flair that defies categorization and appeals to a global audience. Albums such as Jet Sounds and The Modern Sound of Nicola Conte showcase his skillful fusion of musical styles and his ability to craft lush, cinematic soundscapes that transport listeners across time and space. Nicola Conte's innovative approach to World Music has left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring countless artists to explore the limitless potential of cross-cultural collaboration.
- Calypso Rose (born April 27, 1940 in Bethel Village, Tobago) is a calypsonian. She started writing songs at the age of 15; over the years, she has composed more than 800 songs and recorded more than 20 albums. Considered the "mother of calypso", Rose was the first female calypso star and her lyrics frequently address social issues like racism and sexism. She has received every award available to living artists in the Caribbean.She currently resides in Queens, New York, and regularly returns to Trinidad and Tobago in addition to touring.
- Robert "Bob" Eria Telson (born May 14, 1949) is a French-born American composer, songwriter, and pianist best known for his work in musical theater and film, for which he has received Tony, Pulitzer, and Academy Award nominations.
Pioneering jazz drummer Milford Graves is renowned for his revolutionary approach to percussion, incorporating rhythms and techniques from various global musical traditions into his work. With a keen interest in Indian, African, and Caribbean rhythms, Graves forged a unique style that transcended the traditional boundaries of jazz drumming and expanded the possibilities of World Music. His collaborations with esteemed artists such as Albert Ayler, Sonny Sharrock, and Bill Laswell further showcased his ability to break new ground and push the limits of musical expression. Milford Graves' fearless exploration of global rhythms and his commitment to breaking down barriers between genres have left an indelible mark on the World Music landscape.
35Mano Negra
French band Mano Negra, fronted by singer-songwriter Manu Chao, exploded onto the global music scene in the late 1980s with their infectious fusion of punk, ska, reggae, and a wide array of global influences, from Latin to Middle Eastern sounds. Their high-energy performances and socially conscious lyrics resonated with audiences worldwide, earning them a devoted following and solidifying their status as World Music pioneers. Albums like Puta's Fever and Casa Babylon showcase the group's ability to create a truly unique and rebellious sound that transcends cultural boundaries. Mano Negra's groundbreaking work in the World Music genre continues to inspire countless artists to push the limits of musical expression.
- 36Gurdeep Samra (known as G Samra) is a British Asian music producer and DJ from Bicester, England. As a producer, he has a notable presence within the world music community. He is often labelled as a producer of bhangra music.
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Costas Tsicaderis
Costas Tsicaderis (6 January 1945 – 23 December 2004) was a Greek-Australian singer-songwriter. - 38
Jamey Haddad
Internationally acclaimed percussionist Jamey Haddad, of Lebanese descent, is highly regarded for his expertise in world percussion and his innovative collaborations with renowned musicians such as Paul Simon, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joe Lovano. Fluent in a wide range of percussion styles, from Middle Eastern to African to South American, Haddad's diverse skill set and keen sensitivity to rhythm have made him a sought-after figure in the World Music community. His work as a bandleader, notably with his ensemble Under One Sun, showcases his ability to forge meaningful connections across cultures and create a uniquely global sound. Jamey Haddad's tireless dedication to exploring the vast potential of world percussion has left an indelible mark on the global music landscape.
Icelandic musician Jón Þór Birgisson, better known by his stage name "Jónsi," is renowned for his ethereal, otherworldly soundscapes that defy categorization and immerse listeners in a realm of enchantment. As the lead vocalist and guitarist for the ambient post-rock band Sigur Rós, Jónsi has played an integral role in popularizing Icelandic music worldwide, creating a unique sonic experience that blends elements of classical, electronica, and world music. His solo work, such as the album Go, allows him to further explore the vast potential of World Music, weaving together diverse musical influences and instrumentation to create a lush, evocative tapestry of sound. Jón Þór Birgisson's innovative approach to bridging cultural divides through his music has earned him a well-deserved place among the greats of World Music.
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Free the Spirit
The Pat Metheny Group, led by the renowned jazz guitarist of the same name, has earned a reputation for its distinctive fusion of jazz, rock, and a wide array of global influences, from Brazilian to African to Asian sounds. This eclectic approach has garnered the group numerous accolades and a devoted following among World Music enthusiasts. With albums like Offramp and The Way Up, the Pat Metheny Group showcases its ability to create lush, evolving soundscapes that transport listeners across time and space. Their innovative approach to blending diverse musical styles and instrumentation has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the world of music.
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Niyaz
Niyaz, an Iranian-American musical trio consisting of Azam Ali, Loga Ramin Torkian, and Carmen Rizzo, creates a mesmerizing blend of ancient Middle Eastern melodies and contemporary electronic music. Drawing on the rich heritage of Persian, Indian, and Mediterranean traditions, the group crafts lush, atmospheric soundscapes that transcend cultural boundaries, often featuring Azam Ali's hauntingly beautiful vocals sung in multiple languages. Albums like Niyaz and The Fourth Light showcase the group's ability to experiment with diverse sonic textures while maintaining a strong connection to their cultural roots. Niyaz's innovative approach to World Music has left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring countless artists to explore the vast potential of traditional music in a modern context.
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Rokia Traoré
Rokia Traoré (born January 26, 1974) is a Malian singer, songwriter and guitarist. She made six albums between 1998 and 2016. Bowmboï (2003) won the Critics Award category at the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in 2004 and Tchamantché (2008) won Victoires de la Musique World Music Album of the Year in 2009. Traoré won Best Artist in the Songlines Music Awards in 2009.She is a member of the Bambara ethnic group. The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir, led by the late maestro Philip Koutev, is responsible for popularizing the hauntingly beautiful choral traditions of Bulgaria, characterized by striking vocal harmonies and innovative arrangements of folk songs. Their groundbreaking album Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, released in 1986, captured the attention of music lovers worldwide, earning a Grammy Award and introducing the world to the power and drama of Bulgarian vocal music. Their unique sound, featuring distinctive dissonant harmonies and complex polyphony, has inspired numerous musicians to explore the vast potential of World Music. The Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir's indelible contributions to the landscape of global music continue to resonate with artists and audiences alike.
Formed in South Africa in the 1960s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group that has gained worldwide recognition for their mesmerizing a cappella performances steeped in the rich tradition of Zulu vocal harmony. Their collaboration with Paul Simon on his groundbreaking 1986 album Graceland introduced their distinct sound to a global audience, solidifying their status as World Music pioneers. With over 50 albums to their credit, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has continued to celebrate and share the vibrant sounds of South African music, earning multiple Grammy Awards and numerous accolades along the way. Their powerful and uplifting harmonies serve as a testament to the unifying power of music across cultures and generations.
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Iranian-American singer and composer Azam Ali has become an emblematic figure in the world of ethereal electronic music, thanks to her unique fusion of Middle Eastern and Western musical styles. As the lead vocalist for the ensembles Niyaz and VAS, Ali combines hauntingly beautiful melodies sung in various languages with lush, atmospheric soundscapes, resulting in a mesmerizing listening experience. Her solo work, such as the albums Elysium for the Brave and Phantoms, allows her to further explore the rich tapestry of global music, weaving together elements of Persian, Indian, and Turkish traditions. Azam Ali's dynamic and innovative approach to World Music has left an indelible mark on the genre and inspired countless artists to follow in her footsteps.
Tunisian oud virtuoso and vocalist Dhafer Youssef is celebrated for his enchanting fusion of traditional Arabic music with elements of jazz, electronica, and Western classical music. With his distinctive falsetto and masterful oud playing, Youssef creates a captivating sound that transports listeners across time and space, exploring themes of spirituality and the human experience. Albums like Birds Requiem and Divan of Beauty and Odd showcase Youssef's extraordinary musicianship and his ability to push the boundaries of World Music by seamlessly melding seemingly disparate influences into a cohesive and hypnotic whole. Dhafer Youssef's magical blend of ancient and modern sounds has earned him a well-deserved place among the greats of World Music.
Indian violinist and composer L. Subramaniam is a legend in the world of Carnatic music, known for his virtuosic technique and innovative fusion of Indian classical music with Western styles such as jazz and orchestral music. His collaborations with renowned musicians like Yehudi Menuhin, Stéphane Grappelli, and Jean-Pierre Rampal have garnered him international acclaim and solidified his reputation as a pioneering force in World Music. Subramaniam's work as a composer, notably his symphonic poem "Fantasy on Vedic Chants," showcases his ability to seamlessly meld diverse musical traditions into a cohesive and powerful whole. L. Subramaniam's dedication to exploring the vast potential of global music has left an indelible mark on the World Music genre.
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Accordéon Mélancolique
Accordéon Mélancolique is a Dutch accordion duo consisting of Cherie de Boer and Jean-Pierre Guiran. The duo is founded in 1984. In 1997 they were asked to play during the fiftieth anniversary of the Marshall-plan in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, for, among others, Bill en Hillary Clinton, Dutch crown prince Willem Alexander and former Dutch prime minister Wim Kok. Their first CD L'Imparfait du Cœur was released in 1998, and was proclaimed by the Swedish accordion magazine Dragspels Nytt as the best accordion CD of 1999. As a result, they played at various festivals in Iceland and Denmark during the summer of 2000 and 2003. In total, five CDs have been released. The music is also published as sheet music. American trumpeter and composer Jon Hassell is renowned for his innovative blend of electronic music with global influences, including Indian classical, African, and Middle Eastern sounds. His distinctive "Fourth World" approach to music, which he describes as "a unified, primitive/futuristic sound," has gained him a dedicated following among World Music enthusiasts and garnered collaborations with esteemed artists such as Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, and Talking Heads. Albums like Possible Musics and Power Spot showcase Hassell's ability to create hypnotic, otherworldly soundscapes that defy categorization, offering listeners a unique window into the boundless potential of World Music. Jon Hassell's fearless exploration of global sounds and his commitment to transcending musical boundaries have left an indelible mark on the World Music landscape.
Jazz flutist Herbie Mann was a pioneer in exploring the myriad possibilities of World Music, incorporating sounds from Brazil, Africa, Japan, and beyond into his compositions and performances. Over the course of a career spanning six decades, Mann fearlessly delved into a diverse range of musical styles, from Brazilian bossa nova to Afro-Cuban rhythms, consistently pushing the boundaries of jazz and earning him a unique place in the realm of World Music. His landmark album Memphis Underground, featuring a blend of jazz, soul, and blues, serves as a testament to his innovative spirit and passion for exploring new territory. Herbie Mann's ceaseless quest for new musical horizons has left an indelible mark on the World Music genre and inspired countless other artists to follow in his footsteps.
- Ephemeral Mists is a music band that formed in late 2009 by industrial music artist, Brett Branning. The project merges ambient electronic music, electronic beats and textures, with acoustic instrumentation from the middle east and far east. The project has collaborated with many of the most prominent artists and labels in the psychedelic ambient music scenes including Mythical records, Atmosheric records, Ultimae and Altar records. Ephemeral Mists has been actively touring the United States and the middle east and has shared the stage with many other influential world fusion acts such as Karsh Kale, The Desert Dwellers, Conjure One and Delerium. The artist uses many instruments from the classical traditions of the far east and middle east including the Shakuhachi, Ney, hand percussion and Koto.
Al Di Meola, an American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist, is renowned for his dazzling technical skills and unique ability to mix a multitude of musical styles from around the world, including flamenco, tango, Brazilian, African, and Middle Eastern sounds. With over 20 studio albums, Di Meola has demonstrated his continued dedication to exploring the far reaches of World Music while evolving his own sound. His collaborations with other legendary musicians, such as Paco de Lucia and John McLaughlin, have further solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the genre. Al Di Meola's virtuosity and ceaseless exploration of global sounds have earned him a prominent place in the annals of World Music history.
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Celso Duarte
Celso Duarte (born June 1974, in Villarrica, Paraguay) is a virtuoso of Paraguayan harp and Mexican jarocho harp, arranger, singer, and multi-talented instrumentalist. Duarte has performed and recorded with Lila Downs since 1998 and has also accompanied and collaborated with other artists, including Susana Baca, Celso Piña, Plácido Domingo, Mariza, Ramón Vargas, Julieta Venegas, Wynton Marsalis, The Chieftains and Ry Cooder. As a solo artist, he has performed with his band at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Joe's Pub and other historic venues. His first solo album, "De Sur a Sur (From South to South)", was released in 2006. - Sanjay Mishra may refer to: Sanjay Mishra (musician), American guitarist Sanjay Mishra (actor) (born 1962), Indian film actor
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Exile One
Exile One is a cadence musical group of the 1970s from Dominica based in Guadeloupe that was influential in the development of Caribbean music. - Eliades Ochoa Bustamante (born 22 June 1946) is a Cuban guitarist and singer from Loma de la Avispa, Songo La Maya in the east of the country near Santiago de Cuba.He began playing the guitar when he was six and in 1978 he was invited to join Cuarteto Patria, a group founded in 1939, as its leader. Although he looks like a guajiro, and he still wears his trademark cowboy hat, his roots are in the son, and he only agreed to take on the role of leader if he was allowed to introduce new elements to the repertoire. He plays the guitar, tres and also a variant of the guitar, with two additional strings. His involvement with the Buena Vista Social Club and the Wim Wenders film of the same name (1999), has led him to worldwide fame. In 2010 he recorded an album with a number of Cuban and Malian musicians, including Toumani Diabaté, titled AfroCubism.
- Carl Weingarten is an American guitarist, photographer, and founder of the independent music label Multiphase Records. Regarded as "one of the truly great indie musicians working today" by the San Francisco Chronicle, he is best known for his atmospheric sound and use of the slide guitar and Dobro. Weingarten has played a significant role in progressive underground music for nearly 30 years, recording several solo and collaborative instrumental albums and signing various musicians to his label.
- Din Din Aviv (Hebrew: דין דין אביב, born 9 October 1974 as Dina Aviv) is an Israeli pop and folk singer. After performing with Gaya and with the Idan Raichel Project, she released her debut album, Sodotay (My Secrets) in 2006.
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Marlon Klein
Marlon Klein (born December 13, 1957 in Herford, Germany) is a musician and producer in the World Music and Fusion genres. He is a co-founder of the German group Dissidenten. - Deepak Devraj Komath, better known as Deepak Dev (Malayalam: ദീപക് ദേവ്), is an Indian music composer, best known for his compositions in Malayalam cinema, with films such as Chronic Bachelor, Udayananu Tharam, Naran, Puthiya Mukham, Urumi, Grandmaster and Bhaskar the Rascal.
- David Michael Gordon "Davey" Graham (originally spelled Davy Graham) (26 November 1940 – 15 December 2008) was a British guitarist and one of the most influential figures in the 1960s British folk revival. He inspired many famous practitioners of the fingerstyle acoustic guitar such as Bert Jansch, Wizz Jones, John Renbourn, Martin Carthy, John Martyn, Paul Simon and Jimmy Page, who based his solo "White Summer" on Graham's "She Moved Through the Fair". Graham is probably best known for his acoustic instrumental, "Anji" and for popularizing DADGAD tuning, later widely adopted by acoustic guitarists.
- Donald David Guard (October 19, 1934 – March 22, 1991) was an American folk singer, songwriter, arranger and recording artist. Along with Nick Reynolds and Bob Shane, he was one of the founding members of The Kingston Trio. Guard was born in San Francisco and went to Punahou School in Honolulu in what was then the pre-statehood U.S. Territory of Hawaii. Upon completion of his final year of high school in 1952 at Menlo School, a private prep school in Menlo Park, California, he matriculated at nearby Stanford University, graduating in 1957 with a degree in economics. While an undergraduate at Stanford, Guard started a pickup group with Reynolds and Shane. Guard called his group Dave Guard and the Calypsonians, with a Weavers-style signature sound that was principally two guitars, a banjo, and rollicking vocals. Guard kept the group together after Reynolds and Shane left, changing the name of the Calypsonians to The Kingston Quartet. Then in 1957, when Reynolds and Shane agreed to team up with Guard again, the group changed its name to The Kingston Trio. Under contract with Capitol Records, the Trio became a huge commercial and influential success.
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Jonny Blu
Jonny Blu is a singer/songwriter who was born and raised in Los Angeles but made his professional debut in China. He entered the music scene in Hong Kong and became the first Caucasian pop star in the Chinese music world.From his first Mandarin Chinese Pop album Jonny Blu-On the Edge|藍強-刀鋒, his songs "On The Edge|刀鋒", "Crossroads|十子路口", and "The Apology|對不起妳" were Top Ten hits in the Chinese Music and Music Video charts. With a style similar to that of Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jr. and Jamie Cullum, in December 2006 he released his debut swing/pop album In Just That Kind of a Mood with his compositions. In June 2008, he released an EP titled In a Groove co-produced with Myke Aaron. On September 8, 2009, Blu released his album Taboo! produced by Peer Music with arrangements by Bob Malone. The Paul Winter Consort, founded in the 1960s by American saxophonist Paul Winter, has been a pioneering force in the fusion of jazz, classical, and world music, blending diverse sounds from Africa, South America, Asia, and beyond. The group is known for its innovative approach to creating music inspired by nature and the environment, often incorporating recordings of wildlife and natural sounds to craft lush and evocative soundscapes. Albums such as Common Ground and Canyon showcase the ensemble's ability to explore themes of harmony, unity, and the interconnectedness of living beings through their unique blend of global musical styles. The Paul Winter Consort's groundbreaking work in World Music has paved the way for countless artists to explore the vast potential of cross-cultural collaboration and has left an indelible mark on the global music scene.
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Chris Whitten
Chris Whitten (born 26 March 1959) is a British session drummer who provided drums for the hit singles "What I Am" by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, "World Shut your Mouth" by Julian Cope and "The Whole of the Moon" by The Waterboys. Two critically acclaimed projects that Whitten was the drummer for were Paul McCartney's Flowers In The Dirt album in 1989, and Dire Straits final world tour from 1991-1992 to accompany their last studio album, On Every Street. He also played drums on some tracks of the album Titanic (1982) by the Italian songwriter Francesco De Gregori. Whitten was also a member of The Catch, with Don Snow. Whitten unusually has used a Noble & Cooley drum kit which are radically designed drums. The toms and snare are single-ply, steam-bent shells which give them (especially the snare) a distinctive sound. He has also recorded with such varied musicians as Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, The Pretenders, Swing Out Sister, ABC and The The. Whitten has been an active participant and Honorary VIP Member of the Drummer Cafe community forum since 2003. Whitten is a specialist at drum sample production and has contributed drums and percussion with recording partner British engineer/Producer Peter Henderson of Supertramp fame for the Toontrack drum sample libraries Custom and Vintage SDX and The Classic EZX as well as several others. He toured with The Dire Strait Experience and visited India to perform at a charity event in Gurgaon and Bangalore, India in March 2017 - Gehan Hassan Rateb (Arabic: جيهان راتب) (born January 17, 1969) is an Egyptian actress, singer, and composer. Gehan Rateb is one of the most famous Middle Eastern artists of her time, as she was one of the leading artists to bring back acting and singing career in one, and became an idol to follow her steps by other female artists in Egypt.In 1994 Gehan started as a TV. Host at ART Arab Radio & Television for one year, She did not feel that she is in the right place & decided to quit & work in Marketing & Investments. Gehan have been offered a role in limited budget movie called "Horoob ma Sabk El-Esrar" that was exclusively broadcast on ART and it brought her back to the light on 1999 but this time as a supportive actress. In 2000, Gehan was presented in her second movie "Alashan Rabena Yehebak" for the first role. Gehan performed later a number of movies, TV Series & Theatre as well. In 2006 Gehan released her first music video Sibak which was made in New York City in Times Square, Gehan also adapted the American culture in her music video story board as she danced as a pole dancer. The music video was a big hit in the Middle East, & was a subject of great press arguments; at the same time, Gehan became an innovator & a fashion leader for the Arab female Artist & also a seduction icon. Which made her decide to grab the attention to her music more than to her body, so she Released her second music video Wala Yehemak which was made in Torino – Italy, Gehan was very picky for the lyrics to have a message behind. Gehan release her first album Malak in 2008, Matigy Ahebak and El Aroosa met a great success & was reproduced in foreign countries, and was remixed by many of the world's top DJs, which paved the way for Gehan to receive many collaboration requests internationally, and released her song "Ana Wayak" in collaboration with the German producer Jannes Amadeus on January 2009. Gehan has other talents, she compose the music of some of her songs like Rage3 Lih and Haool Ya lil and also write the lyrics of some of her songs such as "Ana Wayak".
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Both Miklós
- Chico César (born January 26, 1964 in Catolé do Rocha, Paraíba, Brazil) is a Brazilian singer, composer and songwriter.
- 71Achinoam Nini (Hebrew: אחינועם ניני; Aẖinóʻam Nini; born June 23, 1969; known outside Israel as Noa), is an Israeli singer. She is accompanied by guitarist Gil Dor and often plays the conga drums as she sings. Nini represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 together with singer Mira Awad, with the song "There Must Be Another Way".
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Burlap to Cashmere
Burlap to Cashmere is a contemporary Christian world music band formed in the 1990s by John Philippidis and Steven Delopoulos. Their music draws heavily on folk and world music influences, especially Greek folk music. - 73
Mynta
Mynta is an Indo-Swedish fusion jazz band which uses Indian vocal, African and Latin-American rhythms, Arabic sounds, Swedish Folkmusic and Cuban violin, together with Indian traditional instruments as tabla, kanjira, ghatam and tampura. It consists of Santiago Jimenez, Dallas Smith, Christian Paulin, Fazal Qureshi, Max Åhman and Sebastian Printz. Mynta is Swedish for mint. The band was originally formed in 1979. - 74
Milind Date
Milind Date (born 28 February) is an Indian flutist and music composer who plays the bansuri. He studied under Hariprasad Chaurasia and is known for his blowing technique and his playing of a variety of musical styles. - 75
Michael McGlynn
Michael McGlynn (born 11 May 1964) is an Irish composer, producer, director, and founder of the vocal ensemble Anúna. - Kristo Numpuby is a guitarist, bassist and singer born in Paris but raised in Eséka, South Cameroon.Author and composer, Kristo sings mainly in Bassa and French on Assiko music the traditional rhythm of the southern Cameroon forests, using a guitar, knives, forks and spoons, and empty bottles for the percussion. He is also inspired by other Cameroonian music styles (Makossa, Bikutsi) and Jazz.
- Mercan Dede (born Arkın Ilıcalı, 1966, Bursa, Turkey), also known as DJ Arkin Allen, is a Turkish composer, ney and bendir player, DJ and producer. He divides his time between Turkey, Europe and North America. He is a world music artist, playing a fusion of traditional acoustic Turkish and other oriental musics with electronic sounds. His best known albums include Seyahatname, Su ( water), and Nar. He has worked in collaboration with Turkish and international musicians such as Susheela Raman, Azam Ali, Dhafer Youssef, Sheema Mukherjee (Transglobal Underground) and Hugh Marsh.
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Mark Nauseef
Mark Nauseef (born June 11, 1953), in Cortland, New York, is a drummer and percussionist who has enjoyed a varied career, ranging from rock music during the 1970s with his time as a member of the Ian Gillan Band and, temporarily, Thin Lizzy, to a wide range of musical styles in more recent times, playing with many notable musicians from all over the world. - 79
Dhilip Varman
S. Dhilip Varman, simply known and credited as Dhilip Varman is a singer, lyricist and composer from Malaysia. - 80
Minor Empire
Minor Empire are a Canadian world music group formed in 2010 in Toronto. - 81
A Moving Sound
聲動樂團 or A Moving Sound is a Taiwanese music act consisting of vocalist/dancer Mia Hsieh, vocalist, bass guitarist and zhong ruan player Scott Prairie, erhu player I-Fang Chen, and zhong ruan player I-Tung Pan. In A Moving Sound’s music traditional Taiwanese, Chinese and neighboring Asian music forms are fused in new original song compositions. Instruments such as the Chinese erhu, the zhong ruan, and the transcendent vocals and dance of lead singer Mia Hsieh, transport listeners on a journey that Global Rhythm magazine described as “...delicately balanced between many worlds…an entryway to Eastern music and artful expression of the human condition." A Moving Sound has attracted international attention for opening doors to the under explored territory that is Pan-Asian music. The group is intensely passionate about how it presents the use of traditional instruments in its contemporary sound. Their approach is to be holistic – combining art, spirituality, social awareness, and a universal love of humanity play key roles in the creative process. - 82
Tomoko Sugawara
Tomoko Sugawara is a harpist from Tokyo, Japan who grew up playing classical and Irish harp before learning to play the kugo or angular harp. With Swedish professor Bo Lawergren, whom she met at a kugo museum exhibit in Nara, Japan she engineered a fully working model of a kugo and hired American harp builder Bill Campbell to construct it. After adjusting to the soft sound of the model, she recorded a CD on Motéma Music called Along the Silk Road, released in 2010, which was a nominee for the Independent Music Awards in the Traditional/World category. She worked with flutist Robert Dick and bendir and darabukka player Ozan Aksöy. - 83
Maria Nalbandian
Maria Nalbandian (Armenian: Մարիա Նալպանտեան; Arabic: ماريا نالبنديان, born August 1, 1985), also known as Maria (Arabic: ماريا), is a Lebanese Armenian pop star from Beirut, Lebanon. - 84
Catherine Duc
Catherine Duc is a Vietnamese-Australian composer and producer of music blending elements of ambient, classical, electronica and world music. Her work has been aired on Australian Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Jazz. In 2005 Duc issued her debut album, Visions and Dreams. - 85
Ali Birra
Ali Mahammed (Oromo :Alii Mahammad; born September 29, 1947), known professionally as Ali Birra, is an Ethiopian singer, composer, poet and nationalist. He was born in Ganda Kore, a village in the city of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. - 86
Mal Webb
Mal Webb (born 31 October 1966, Melbourne, Australia) is a singer, beatboxer and multi-instrumentalist who has performed in various groups in the Australian music scene. He records his own original songs as well as providing material for other artists. He is a founding member of The Oxo Cubans, Sock, Totally Gourdgeous, and Formidable Vegetable, as well as performing solo and as a duo with Kylie Morrigan. As a composer, he provided the soundtracks for The Adventures of Lano and Woodley (ABC TV series 1997-1999), Woodley (ABC TV series 2012) and Wishworks' puppet show, Whispering Smith (UK 2015). In 2018, he premiered his work, "Notey and Noisy, a Sound Science Mathemusical". - 87
Maidens IV
Maidens IV is a four sister celtic and folk rock music band born and raised in a family of eleven near rual Loudonville, Ohio, USA. While the sisters are best known for their high-action celtic rock shows, their repertoire also spans celtic workshops, choir and community performances. - 88
Lucy Rahman
Lucy Rahman is a Bangladeshi-born British singer. - 89
Ayaan Ali Khan
Ayaan Ali Khan Bangash (Hindi: अयान अली ख़ान बंगश; IAST: Ayān Alī Khān) (born 5 September 1979) is an Indian classical musician who plays the sarod. Khan is the son of Amjad Ali Khan and often performs with his older brother Amaan Ali Khan, with whom he hosted the music talent show Sa Re Ga Ma. He has also released solo albums and collaborations with brother and father. - Ariel Nan is an Argentine musician, singer, songwriter and actor.
- Anna Maria Jopek (born 14 December 1970) is a Polish musician and singer. She represented her country in the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest, with the song "Ale jestem" and finished 11th out of 25 participating acts; and in 2002, she collaborated on an album with jazz guitarist Pat Metheny. She has received numerous awards for her music, including Michel Legrand's Personal Award in Vitebsk in 1994, as well as all of the awards for music in Poland, together with gold and platinum records. She is the daughter of Mazowsze singer Stanisław Jopek (1935–2006), known as the "First Coachman of Poland" for his signature song "Furman" (The Coachman), and former Mazowsze dancer Maria Stankiewicz. Her 1999 Christmas album, Dzisiaj z Betleyem, features two duets with her father. Anna Maria's sister, Patrycja is a violinist. In 2007, she recorded the album ID with artists Mino Cinelu, Christian McBride, Richard Bona, Branford Marsalis, Dhafer Youssef, Tord Gustavsen and Oscar Castro-Neves In April and May 2009, she did a tour with stops in Russia, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan.
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Arjuna Harjai
Arjuna Harjai is a popular Indian film composer, Musician and singer, working in Bollywood, known for his chartbuster songs " O Soniye " & " Kyu hua "sung by Arijit Singh & Neeti Mohan for the film Titoo MBA. After working as a jingle composer, he debuted as a film scorer in the 2011, and debuted as a composer with Priyanshu Chatterjee starer Calapor for which he composed four original songs and background score, - Arli Liberman is an Israeli guitarist and record producer of Jewish origin.
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Ale Möller
Arild Staffan Möller(born March 26, 1955), known professionally as Ale Möller, is a Swedish musician and composer. He was born and grew up in Scania in southern Sweden and started in music as a jazz trumpeter. He lived for a while in Greece where he learned to play the bouzouki and played with composer Mikis Theodorakis. Möller has been a member of Frifot, Stockholm Folk Big Band, Enteli, Filarfolket, Ale Möller's Lyckliga Enmansorkester, and Neo Minore. He has worked with Aly Bain, Bruce Molsky, Robin Williamson, Gunnar Stubseid, Lena Willemark, Per Gudmundson, Jonas Knutsson, Sten Källman, Gunnar Stubseid, and Thomas Ringdahl. He plays traditional Scandinavian music. He is also a notable proponent of world music, combining Swedinh folk traditions with those of Shetland, Greece, India, and West Africa. He plays bouzouki, mandola, accordion, flute, shawm, dulcimer, harp, and harmonica. His mandola is adapted to include extra frets. - Mark Rutherford is a composer.
- 96Hüseyin Yalın, better known by his surname Yalın (born 30 March 1980), is a Turkish pop singer and songwriter. He achieved success with the song "Zalim" in 2004.
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Dennis Rea
Dennis Rea (born July 7, 1957) is an American guitarist, author, and music event organizer. He was a member of the electronic music group Earthstar in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He leads the progressive rock quintet Moraine and worked with Jeff Greinke in Land. Other significant involvements have included Flame Tree, Identity Crisis, Iron Kim Style, Savant, Stackpole, Tempered Steel, and Zhongyu. Rea has collaborated with Hector Zazou, Bill Rieflin and Trey Gunn of King Crimson, Hawkwind cofounder Nik Turner, Chinese rock musician Cui Jian, drummer Han Bennink, and Mexican experimental duo Cabezas de Cera. He has appeared on more than 40 recordings to date on labels including MoonJune, Sky, RVNG Intl., Light in the Attic, First World, Extreme, C/Z, Purple Pyramid, Materiali Sonori, and Palace of Lights. He has performed throughout the U.S. and in China, Russia, Tuva, Germany, the UK, Taiwan, and Mexico. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Rea collaborated with many notable Chinese musicians. He was one of the first Western musicians to record an album for the state-owned China Record Corporation.His activities in East Asia are detailed in his book Live at the Forbidden City: Musical Encounters in China and Taiwan. He is a co-organizer of the annual Seaprog festival and several concert series. For more than a decade he helped organize the Seattle Improvised Music Festival. - Adam Rudolph (born September 12, 1955) is a composer, improviser, and percussionist actively involved in modern music. For the past four decades Rudolph has performed extensively in concert throughout North & South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Rudolph has been hailed as "a pioneer in world music" by the New York Times and "a master percussionist" by Musician Magazine. He has released over 25 recordings under his own name, featuring his compositions and percussion work. Rudolph composes for his ensembles Adam Rudolph's Moving Pictures, the Hu Vibrational percussion group, and Go: Organic Orchestra, an 18 to 54 piece ensemble for which he has developed an original music notation and conducting system. He has taught and conducted hundreds of musicians worldwide utilizing the Go: Organic Orchestra concept. In 1995 Rudolph premiered his opera The Dreamer, based on the text of Friedreich Nietzsche's "The Birth of Tragedy." Rudolph has performed with Don Cherry, Jon Hassell, Sam Rivers, Pharaoh Sanders, Bill Laswell, Herbie Hancock, Foday Musa Suso, Massimo Laguardia, L. Shankar, A.A.C.M. co-founders Fred Anderson and Muhal Richard Abrams, Wadada Leo Smith, and Omar Sosa. He has toured extensively and recorded 15 albums with Yusef Lateef including duets and their large ensemble compositional collaborations. Rudolph grew up in the Hyde Park area of the Southside of Chicago. From an early age he was exposed to the live music performances of the great blues and improvising artists who lived nearby. As a teenager, Rudolph started playing hand drums in local streets and parks and soon apprenticed with elders of African American improvised music. He performed regularly in Chicago with Fred Anderson and in Detroit with the Contemporary Jazz Quintet. In 1973 Rudolph played on his first record date with Maulawi Nururdin and with the CJQ at the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz festival. In 1977 he lived and studied in Ghana, where he experienced trance ceremonies. In his travels throughout West Africa he saw how music can come from a cosmological grounding beyond music itself and can also be about something beyond music itself. In 1978 he lived in Don Cherry's house in the Swedish countryside. Cherry inspired him to start composing and showed him about Ornette Coleman's concept and the connection of music to nature. Rudolph is known as one of the early innovators of what is now called "World Music." in 1978 he and Gambian Kora player Jali Foday Musa Suso, along with fellow percussionist Hamid Drake, co-founded The Mandingo Griot Society, one of the first groups to combine African and American music. In 1988, he recorded the first fusion of American and Gnawa music with sintir player and singer Hassan Hakmoun. Rudolph intensely studied North Indian Tabla for over 15 years with Pandit Taranath Rao. He learned hundreds of drum compositions and about how music is a form of Yoga – the unity of mind, body and spirit. In 1988 Rudolph began his association with Yusef Lateef, with whom he has recorded over 15 albums including several of their large ensemble collaborations. Lateef introduced Rudolph to the inspirational practice of Autophysiopsychic Music – "that which comes from one's spiritual, physical and emotional self." Rudolph has performed worldwide with Dr. Lateef. Their performances have ranged from their acclaimed duet concerts to appearances as guest soloists with the Köln, Atlanta and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. Rudolph continues to also create visual art – painting, drawing, photography ‑ and to write. In 2006, his rhythm repository and methodology book, Pure Rhythm was published by Advance Music, Germany. In 2010 Rudolph's article Music and Mysticism: Rhythm and Form was published in Arcana V, edited by John Zorn. Other essays have been published by Parabola Magazine and Morton Books. Rudolph has been on the faculty of Creative Music Studio (New York and Istanbul), Esalen Institute, California Institute of the Arts and the Danish Jazz Federation Summer Institute. Rudolph has received grants and compositional commissions from the Rockefeller Foundation, Chamber Music America, Meet the Composer, Mary Flagler Cary Trust, the NEA, Arts International, Durfee Foundation, Phaedrus Foundation and American Composers Forum.
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3 Mustaphas 3
3 Mustaphas 3 is a British World music band formed in 1982. Core members are Ben Mandelson, Tim Fienburgh Colin Bass, and Nigel Watson, around which orbit many other Mustaphas – all supposed to be the nephews of Uncle Patrel Mustapha. They claim to originate from the Balkans, but play music from almost every continent; their slogan, "Forward in all directions!", is an expression of this musical diversity. Active at the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s, they have now stopped producing and performing together, but haven't officially disbanded. - 100
Green Echo
Green Echo is an instrumental band from Lisbon, Portugal, crossing over various genres such as dub, world music, progressive music, experimental music. - 101John Hammink (born May 1, 1970) is an American engineer, musician, artist and linguist. Hammink was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1993 with a B.A. in Linguistics. He emigrated to Finland in 1996 to lecture at Jyväskylä and Kajaani Polytechnics, and to Estonia in 2003. As of 2007, he has taught topics related to Product Realization and testing for software and consumer electronics at Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María in Valparaiso, Chile; Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral in Guayaquil, Ecuador and has advised startup companies worldwide. As of 2011, he worked at Mozilla, where he led early Quality Assurance efforts on Firefox OS.In 2008, after a long campaign, he found a company willing to support his work on a managed care system for diabetic patients.Hammink established a certification program for Voice over IP provider Skype, which aims to measure the quality of the user experience for all facets of hardware and software products that integrate with Skype's open API. The Skype Certification program merges practical application of the Metaphysics of Quality as proposed by Robert M. Pirsig and principles of Software inspection as proposed by Tom Gilb. He has also toured and recorded extensively as a solo acoustic guitarist, bassist and vocalist with Russian music producer Peter Coon. During 2008 and 2009 John recorded extensively in the now defunct studio called "Studio Höör" with music producer and sound technician Daniel Westin (Now founder and owner of Studio Zero Latency Records). In November 2010, he performed with Vepsian language lineup Jousnen Jarved at Liet minority-language music festival in Lorient, France.
- 102James Robert Haslip (born December 31, 1951) is an American bass guitarist who was a founding former member of the jazz fusion group the Yellowjackets. He was also an early user of the five-string electric bass.
- 103Jeffrey Scott Martin (born October 2, 1969 in Windsor, Ontario) is a Canadian guitarist and singer-songwriter best known for fronting the rock band The Tea Party. Martin began his career as a solo artist in October 2005, when The Tea Party went on hiatus.
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Ellwyn Joshua
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Jabu Khanyile
Jabu Khanyile (28 February 1957 – 12 November 2006) was a South African musician and lead vocalist from the band Bayete. - 106
Bobby Gardiner
Bobby Gardiner (born 1939) is an Irish accordionist and lilter. - 107
Peter Szalai
Hungarian percussionist Peter Szalai is celebrated for his virtuosic technique and his unique fusion of traditional Hungarian rhythms with contemporary jazz, Indian classical, and electronic music styles. A master of the tabla and a wide array of other percussion instruments, Szalai's innovative approach to rhythm and his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical influences have earned him a devoted following among World Music enthusiasts. His collaborations with esteemed musicians such as Balázs Horváth, Péter Eötvös, and the Budapest Jazz Orchestra showcase his versatility and passion for transcending boundaries between musical genres. Peter Szalai's relentless pursuit of new rhythmic frontiers has left an indelible mark on the world of music.
- 108Maher Zain (Arabic: ماهر زين; born 16 July 1981) is a Swedish R&B singer, songwriter and music producer of Lebanese origin. He released his debut album Thank You Allah, an internationally successful album produced by Awakening Records, in 2009. He released his follow-up album Forgive Me in April 2012 under the same production company, and a third album One (Maher Zain album) in 2016.
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James Nyoraku Schlefer
James Nyoraku Schlefer (Japanese: ジェイムス 如楽 シュレファー), born 1956 in Brooklyn, New York, is a performer and teacher and composer of shakuhachi in New York City. He received the Dai-Shi-Han (Grand Master) certificate in 2001, one of only a handful of non-Japanese to receive this high-level award. In 2008, he received his second Shi-Han certificate from Mujuan Dojo, in Kyoto. In Japan, Schlefer has worked with Reibo Aoki, Katsuya Yokoyama, Yoshio Kurahashi, Yoshinobu Taniguchi, and Kifu Mitsuhashi. His first teacher was Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin. He holds a Master's degree in Western flute and musicology from Queens College and currently teaches shakuhachi class at Columbia University and music history courses at the City University of New York. He has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Tanglewood, BAM, the Metropolitan Museum, at colleges and universities throughout the US and has toured in Japan, Indonesia, Brazil and counties in Europe. Schlefer has four solo recordings, Wind Heart(which travelled 120,000,000 miles aboard the Space Station MIR) Solstice Spirit (1998), Flare Up (2002), and In The Moment (2008). His music has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. Schlefer’s latest recording Spring Sounds, Spring Seas was released in June 2012 and features his original music for shakuhachi and orchestra. Schlefer first heard the shakuhachi in 1979, while working towards his Master’s degree in musicology. This was at a musical soiree in New York’s famed Dakota building, hosted by one of the professors at the CUNY Graduate Center. There was a sankyoku ensemble of shakuhachi, koto and shamisen, and following the recital, Schlefer was offered the opportunity to play the bamboo flute. The effort was met with total failure and taking that as a mandate, he began his now three-decade long pursuit. Schlefer performs traditional and modern music with other Japanese instruments, including the shamisen and the koto. An exceptional solo artist, his appearances include lectures about the origin, history, and development of Japanese music. Schlefer has been a soloist in several orchestral settings including the New York City Opera, Karl Jenkins’ Requiem, and others. He has performed and lectured at Duke University (in two, week-long artist residencies), and at the Juilliard School, Manhattan and Eastman Schools of Music, Vassar, Haverford, Brown, Moravian, Colby, Colby-Sawyer, Williams and Hunter Colleges, and at music festivals in the US, South America, Asia and Europe. Nyoraku Sensei is head of the Kyo Shin An teaching studio in New York City. He has written two etude books for shakuhachi technical development. As a composer, Schlefer has written many pieces for Japanese instruments including a shakuhachi concerto, a quintet for shakuhachi and string quartet, and numerous pieces for traditional Japanese instruments. - 110
Alex Cartañá
Alex Cartañá (born Alexandra Rosamund Cartañá-Marks, 7 April 1983) is a British singer-songwriter and actress of Spanish origin. Cartañá first came to fame in 2003 as the featured artist and co-writer of the hit dance record, "Shake It (Move a Little Closer)", which peaked at No. 16 in the UK Singles Chart. - 111
Jay Oliver
Jay Russell Oliver (born April 26, 1959) is an American jazz musician (piano, keyboards and synths), composer, record producer, programmer & engineer. He began his professional music career at the age of 19 as the youngest member of Maynard Ferguson’s band. His later credits include: Sheryl Crow, The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Wynona Judd, Glenn Frey, Peabo Bryson, Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Russ Kunkel, Jay Graydon, AO Music, Celine Dion and many others.Jay resides in Los Angeles, where he has worked extensively in music composition and production, ranging from jazz fusion and World music to soundtracks to session work of all kinds. At the beginning of 2011, after many years of research and field test studies involving the use of sound from a clinical perspective, Jay founded a company called SmartWav, LLC. The company specializes in the use of proprietary tonal, pitch and rhythm mapping technologies that specifically aid infants in areas of brain development and issues of post womb insomnia. - 112
Dáithí O'Cléirigh
Dáithí O'Cléirigh is a freelance session musician, producer, percussionist and drummer originally from Dublin, Ireland. Presently based in Helsinki, Finland, he produces, composes and performs with many locally based artists. He was featured as a recording musician, drummer and percussionist for the Wabanag album 'Ulodi', produced by Roni Martin in 2004 on the Box Co-operative label; a unique World Music album which blends traditional Native American Wabanaki Métis music with modern contemporary styles. In the music of Wabanag, hand drums, rattles, bows, wooden sticks, flutes, and other traditional instruments are used sparingly along with vocals and strong rhythmic lines. Most of the songs are in Native American languages and refer to the natural elements and the spiritual world of the native people from the Maritimes, as well as to their traditional way of life. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best International Album at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in 2005. He performed and toured nationally and internationally with the band until 2007. - Ghazi Abdel Baki is a musician, composer, producer. He founded in 2001 Forward Music and since then has produced more than 40 albums and more than 300 concerts for several artists in the Middle-East.
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Cadence Spalding
Cadence Spalding is an American educator, vocalist, instrumentalist and composer. She is well known as a new age musician and also as a children entertainer under the name of Miss Jenny. Her solo album Save The World peaked #4 on the Top 100 New Age/Ambient/World Radio/Internet Airwaves Chart and was the best new age album in 2009. - 115
Hedningarna
Hedningarna is a Swedish and, for some years partly Finnish, folk music band that mixes electronics and rock with elements from old Scandinavian folk music. Their music features Yoik or juoiggus, a traditional Sami form of song. - 116
Strunz & Farah
Strunz can refer to: Claudio Strunz, an Argentine drummer The Strunz classification in mineralogy Strunz & Farah, a band Thomas Strunz, (born 1968), a German soccer player - 117
Debasis Chakroborty
Debasis Chakroborty (born 9 June 1961) is an Indian classical slide guitar player who belongs to the Senia-Maihar Gharana. Chakroborty was born in Calcutta, India, and was groomed in the atmosphere of music from his childhood. He began learning guitar from his father Sh. Madhusudan Chakroborty. He then came under the tutelage of Pt. Barun Kumar Pal, a renowned guitarist from Kolkata and Pandit Jotin Bhattacharya, an eminent Sarod player and senior disciple of Ustad Baba Allauddin Khan Sahib of Maihar Gharana. Later on, Debasis became a disciple of the guitar maestro Pundit Brij Bhushan Kabra. Debasis's style of playing combines both Gayaki and Tantrakari Angs. He is still following the oldest tradition of playing Sarode, Sitar and Veena with his modified Hawaiian guitar, which has its own beautiful technical virtuosity and three octave advantages. His purity of style, uniqueness of imagination and total absorption with melody coupled with his brilliant technique in which "Tantrakari" and "Layakari" are prominent and make his recital enchanting. He is an "A" grade artiste of Broadcasting Corporation of India (All India Radio & Television) in both Hindustani Classical and light music and performed in the prestigious National programme. He is an ICCR empanelled artiste under the Ministry of external affairs, Govt. of India. He visited several Universities and institutions around the world(including Monash University, Melbourne, Australia) as visiting faculty/ Artist in Residence and performed in many prestigious concerts and conferences which were widely appreciated. At present, he lectures in the Department of Music, Institute of Visual Performing Arts & Research, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh. - Juan Carlos Paz y Puente is a Mexican-born musician & educator. Professor Paz y Puente is the former Senior Vice President of Marketing and A&R director for Warner Music Mexico.Prof. Paz y Puente was one of the founding members of the Fermatta Music Academy to which he is no longer affiliated having moved on to other endeavors since 2007. Fermatta was the first School in Contemporary music in México that was officially recognized by the Mexican Government
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Louis Banks
Louis Banks (born 11 February 1941 as Dambar Bahadur Budaprithi) is an Indian film composer, record producer, keyboardist, and singer. He has often been referred to as the Godfather of Indian Jazz. - 120
Geoff Leigh
Geoff Leigh (born 5 October 1945) is an English jazz and progressive rock musician, playing primarily soprano saxophone and flute. He was a member of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow and founded several bands himself, including Red Balune, Random Bob, Black Sheep, Mirage, and Ex-Wise Heads.
