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NEWSYale Strom publishes book on Dave Tarras
ARC Music's Yale Strom has a new book out this month chronicling the life and music of the influential klezmer musician Dave Tarras. Hailed as "The Benny Goodman of klezmer," Dave Tarras is considered the most influential klezmer musician of the Twentieth Century. From 1925 until his death in 1989, Tarras set the standard for klezmer musicianship and virtuosity. Even the great jazz artists Charlie Parker and Miles Davis studied the technique of this complex and compelling virtuoso. Yale Strom spent months interviewing the people who knew Tarras best: his musical collaborators and family members. The first biography authorized by the Tarras family, this book includes newly discovered personal and historical facts about Dave Tarras and the world in which he lived and played, and priceless photographs from the family archives. Twenty-eight of Tarras' melodies as written by Tarras and discovered in his manuscripts are presented in arrangements for C and B-Flat instruments. An essential book for anyone interested in klezmer or Jewish cultural history. "Dave Tarras - The King of Klezmer" is published by OR-Tav Music Publications, Israel's leading independent publisher of music and books on music. Order your copy here Yale Strom is an internationally recognized authority on klezmer. Through more than 25 years and 75 research expeditions, Strom has become one of the world's leading ethnographer artists of klezmer culture. With his band Hot Pstromi he has released 13 globally acclaimed recordings, including 2007's Borsht with Bread, Brothers Currently, Strom is artist-in-residence in the Jewish Studies Program at San Diego State University. Hilda Bronstein on BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour
Klezmer singer Hilda Bronstein will be appearing on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour on Tuesday 31st August (10-11am). Hilda appears with Geraldine Auerbach of the Jewish Music Institute to discuss the history of klezmer with host Jane Garvey. The track 'Farbay di Teg' from Hilda's new album "Yiddish Songs with Chutzpah!" will be aired, and she will perform an additional song live in the studio. As well as the new album, Hilda will be promoting the Klezmer in the Park festival, to be held on 5th September, at which she will be performing. Ravi & Seckou Keita to perform at Europe's 1st Kora festival
Two ARC Music artists will be participating at Europe's first African Kora festival this coming weekend. Kora specialists Ravi and Seckou Keita will performing at the festival to be held on Saturday 21st August at the University of Brighton Gardens & Sallis Benney Theatre, Grand Parade, Brighton. Ravi takes to the stage at 15:15, with Seckou headlining the set at 22:30. At 23:00 Seckou will be joined by other performers for a grand finale. Other Kora players performing at the event include Kadialy Kouyaté, Diabel Cissoko, Jali Burama Mbye, Sura Susso, Modou Cissoko and Jali Keba Susso. For full information please visit: www.brightonkorafestival.comARC Music tracks to feature in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time"ARC Music is proud to announce the inclusion of 4 of its tracks in the upcoming Disney blockbuster "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time". 
Two tracks by Hossam Ramzy ('Lucy The Magnificent' and 'Arabian Knights') and a track each from Deben Bhattacharya ('In Praise of Krishna') and Zarbang ('Circle in Seven') have been selected to form part of the soundtrack to the adventure movie, which hits cinemas in early summer 2010. Based on the popular video game series of the same name, the film is produced by Pirates of the Caribbean's Jerry Bruckheimer and stars Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain, Jarhead), Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Clash of the Titans) and Ben Kingsley (Gandhi). The plot follows Prince Dastan (Gyllenhaal) and Princess Tamina (Arterton) in their quest against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time -- a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world. It is the latest production from Walt Disney Pictures. ARC Music Licensing Manager, Caren Entwistle, said: "We are very pleased to be involved in this project, and it is a major coup for us to have so many tracks featured in the film. It's going to be the blockbuster of the summer!" This represents the fourth time in as many years that ARC Music has had music featured in major film productions, following placements in James Bond Casino Royale (2006); Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008); and Burn After Reading (2009). Previous placements also include The Kingdom, Munich, The Constant Gardner, War, and The 40 Year Old Virgin. Click here to see the movie trailer David Fanshawe 1942 - 2010
We were saddened to learn of the death of David Fanshawe, who passed away on 5th July 2010 following a stroke, aged 68. David was a composer and explorer, ethnic sound recordist, educator, photographer and much much more besides. During his truly amazing life David travelled the world recording and documenting the lives and music of the indigenous peoples of many countries and cultures. His legacy is cemented in the Fanshawe Collections, some 3000 tapes and 60,000 images taken by David on his travels in Arabia, Africa, South East Asia and the Pacific between 1967 and 1994. We have enjoyed a long relationship with David dating back to the early 90's, which has seen us release several recordings from this incredible collection. On a personal note, we are each deeply moved by this news. Many of us at ARC Music have had the privilege of meeting David at various times over the years, and will miss his sense of humour, enthusiasm and infectious spirit. It was an honour being able to work with David, and we thank him for his friendship, his tireless effort to preserve the ethnic music of world cultures, and his lasting contribution to the world of music. Our thoughts are with David's family: wife Jane, son Alexander, and daughters Rebecca and Rachel. A memorial website has been set up at www.davidfanshawe.com to honour this remarkable man and his extraordinary life and career. A memorial service will be held later this year. Baluji Shrivastav performs with Stevie Wonder
London was swinging this weekend as Stevie Wonder came to the capital to headline Hyde Park's Hard Rock Calling festival. The Motown legend took to the stage on Saturday 26th June to perform a selection of his many classics - backed on percussion by our very own Baluji Shrivastav. Baluji played tablas and Gopi in front of the 48,000 people who had assembled in Hyde Park to see the soul star, who performed songs from his near 50-year career, including "Superstition", "Signed Sealed Delivered" and "Isn't She Lovely". The following evening Stevie Wonder was in Glastonbury headlining the 40th anniversary of the world-famous festival. Baluji Shrivastav has just released his latest album "Goddess" with ARC Music Niyireth Alarcón Concert and Album Launch
After her successful national and international tour Niyireth Alarcón has returned to Colombia to launch her new album Cantos del Camino ('Songs from the Road'). The album launch and concert will take place at the Theatre Prado El Águila Descalza, Medellín, Colombia on Wednesday 23rd at 8pm. The 90-minute concert takes place in an intimate and welcoming setting, in friendly and direct communication with the audience - a warm atmosphere created by soprano, guitar and percussion, and the beautiful sounds of "a wooden flute on the water" as the great Mexican singer Lila Downs has described Niyireth's voice. "Click here" for more information. ARC Music in Los AngelesARC Music staff have just returned from Los Angeles where they attended the BPI & UKTI Sync Licensing* Mission. 
Jon and Caren from the ARC Music licensing department were in LA from 6th - 10th June where they had meetings with approximately 40 music supervisors, including people from some of the biggest shows on US TV. Following meetings with music supervisors from the likes of CBS and NBC, Jon and Caren were invited to a reception at the British Consulate. The trip was organized by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) in conjunction with the UK Department of Trade & Investment. * Sync licensing is the term given when a music publisher licenses music to a production company for synchronization with visual media, such as for TV programs and commercials, motion pictures and video games. Julio Sigauque featured on Official World Cup anthem with ShakiraJulio Sigauque from marrabenta group Yinguica is featured on the official anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 
Julio is also a member of the South African group Freshlyground who have recorded the song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" with international superstar Shakira. The group performed the track with Shakira at the opening ceremony in Johannesburg on 10th June and will perform it again at the official closing ceremony on 11th July. You can view the video and listen to the song here: Yinguica released their international debut "Marrabenta Music from Mozambique" on the ARC label in September 2009. Shakira previously enlisted the talents of another ARC Music artist, 'Egypt's Ambassador of Rhythm' Hossam Ramzy, for her 2009 album She Wolf. Click here for more information Insingizi Performance in Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, GermanyInsingizi performed on 27th May at the "Theater an der Ruhr", in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. ARC Music's Assistant Art Director, Diz Heller, was in Mülheim and stopped by to see the show and say 'hello' to Insingizi. 
The show was VERY well received by the audience, who joined in with some of the songs, clapping, stamping and singing. 
After the show people queued up to buy CDs and have them autographed by the group. 
The show was completely recorded by the WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk) and will be broadcast on Thursday, 24th June on WDR 3 Konzert, at 20:05 (CET). "Classic Voices of Baghdad" at Southbank Centre, featuring Ahmed MukhtarIraqi Oud master Ahmed Mukhtar will be performing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London's Southbank Centre on Saturday 22nd May 2010. 
Mukhtar will be joined by The Baghdad Ensemble, a unique group composed of Iraqi musicians playing traditional Middle Eastern instruments such as oud, qanun and percussion, and British musicians playing instruments such as cello, accordion and double bass. The event, entitled "Classic Voices of Baghdad" will also feature a performance by the Iraqi Maqam Group. Profits from the concert will go to the Iraqi Al-Amal Association's Child Appeal, which supports children who have been caught in the crossfire of the Iraq war. Tickets are priced at between £15 and £30 (concessions available) and are available from the Southbank Centre website. Click here for further information Yale Strom & Junoon to Headline Earth Day Celebrationsin New York's Times SquareKlezmer star Yale Strom is to join sufi-rock group Junoon as the headline act at New York's Earth Day celebrations. 
The celebrations, called Crossroads of the World, will take place in Times Square from 11am to 2pm on Earth Day this 22nd April. Yale Strom is an acclaimed writer and composer of Jewish music, and the world's leading ethnographer-artist of klezmer music and history. With his band, Hot Pstromi, they released their album "Borsht with Bread, Brothers" on the ARC label in 2007. He joins sufi-rock pioneers Junoon, Pakistan's biggest rock group to close the celebrations. Earth Day celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, having being set up by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. To receive more information on Earth Day Celebrations in New York visit eday40.org Narasirato Panpipers to play Rainforest FestivalThe Solomon Islands' Narasirato Panpipers will be performing at the Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, Malaysia, on 11th July 2010. 
The Narasirato Panpipers come from the remote Oterama Village, on Malaita Island in the Solomon Islands. Surrounded by virgin rainforest and idyllic lagoons, their village is only reachable by canoe or by a 2-day walk overland. Since their inception in 1990 the group has built a reputation as an outstanding live act, with their unique, joyful tribal panpipe music and wild dance routines: "Narasirato burst on to the stage on Friday night and a thousand jaws hit the floor simultaneously. It ranks as my best moment in the fifteen years history of the Festival - Steve Barnes, Artistic Director Fairbridge Festival, Western Australia. "The whole hall rose for a spontaneous ovation, for what became the most talked about performance of the [festival]" - Songlines Magazine The Rainforest World Music Festival is a unique event which showcases renowned artists in the field of world music, held annually in the heart of the Borneo jungle. This year's event will be held between 9-11 July. For further information please visit www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com Insingizi win Radio France World Music AwardCongratulations to Insingizi who were presented with the ‘Prix France Musique du Monde 2010’ (Radio France World Music Award 2010) last night at the Babel Med World Music Forum in Marseille. The group thanked all their fans for their continued support on their facebook page. 
Insingizi after receiving the award (l-r) Dumisani ‘Ramadu’ Moyo, Blessings Nqo Nkomo, Vusa Mkhaya Ndlovu Well done Insingizi! Insingizi nominated for Radio France World Music Award
Zimbabwean vocal trio Insingizi has been nominated for the Prix France Musiques du Monde (French World Music Award) sponsored by Radio France. The award ceremony is to take place on 26th March 2010 at the Babel Med Festival in Marseille, at which Insingizi will also be performing live. Director of France Musiques, Marc-Olivier Dupin, will make the presentation to the winning group. Insingizi's music is filled with hope, optimism and faith. Wherever they go, the purity of their vocal interplay is overwhelmingly beautiful, the lyric is ultimately hopeful, and the inherent tone of their message is true to their spiritual beliefs. The group was presented with Gold discs at WOMEX 2009 in Copenhagen, in recognition of sales in excess of 250,000 units of the North American release of their debut album They followed this in 2009 with the acclaimed .Voices of Southern Africa, Volume 2 . Johnny Clegg Live in London
Johnny Clegg will be performing in London on Saturday June 19th 2010. In a month in which all eyes will be on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a slice of Cape Town comes to London for a one-off spectacular at the Hammersmith Apollo. The event will also mark the launch of the Breathe Sunshine Foundation a non profit organisation set up to build and fund schools and community centres in South Africa's disadvantaged communities. A percentage of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the foundation. Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.co.uk Harmonica Day in Manchester with Mat Walklate
Mat Walklate from the House Devils is hosting a Harmonica Day at Band on the Wall, Manchester on Sunday 18th April 2010 in association with the National Harmonica League. Mat is the 1992 British Blues Harmonica champion and currently plays with Irish folk band The House Devils, who released their international debut, Adieu to Old Ireland on ARC Music in July 2009. at will give talks on how to play in every style, from beginners to advanced level. Special guests will demonstrate how the harmonica can be used in all forms of music, including folk, roots, Irish, world, blues, rock, country, jazz, classical and more. There will also be jam sessions in which you can play with other musicians, demonstrations of harmonica repairs, trade stands, a chance to meet other players and find out more, or just enjoy great music! Tickets cost only £5 and are available at http://bandonthewall.org/events/2732/ Your ticket includes entry into free prize draw for a chance to win one of a selection of brand new harmonicas! Insingizi to perform at Babel Med Music festival in Marseille
Zimbabwean vocal trio Insingizi will perform as part of the Babel Med World Music Forum in Marseille, France, on 26th March 2010. The 6th annual edition of the Babel Med World Music Forum takes place at Marseille's Dock Des Suds venue between 25th and 27th March. Insingizi join stars such as Papa Wemba and and Vieux Farka Toure on the bill for the prestigious event. For full festival details please visit www.dock-des-suds.org Baluji Shrivastav previews "Goddess" project at London's Purcell Room
Acclaimed Indian classical musician and composer Baluji Shrivastav is to give a preview performance of his forthcoming Goddess album - a tribute to feminine deities around the globe - at London's Purcell Room on Wednesday 24th March 2010. Baluji Shrivastav's "Goddess" is a celebration of the power of the Divine Feminine and her role in different cultures throughout the world. Incorporating elements from the various musical styles of each of the countries represented, Baluji aims to draw from the spirit of these traditions and express them through North Indian Classical tradition. The essence of Classical Indian music is a belief in the sacred power of sound. Baluji harnesses this power to celebrate Yemanja, Queen of the Ocean, who is beloved in Africa and Brazil; Kuan Yin, the Compassionate Rebel revered by East Asian Buddhists and Chinese Taoists; the radiant Sun Goddess Amaterasu Omikami of Japan; Saraswati, Goddess of creative thought; Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth; Durga the warrior Goddess and Haitian Goddess of love Erzulie. Baluji will be performing on sitar, surbahar (bass sitar) and dilruba with tabla accompaniment by Nafees Irfan, plus guest artists including 'Godfather of Percussion' Pandit Dinesh. Baluji Shrivastav has been referred to as 'sitarist to the stars' (London Evening Standard) having recorded and performed with a wide range of artists including Massive Attack and Andy Sheppard. Most recently he appeared with alt-rock band Doves at the 2009 BBC Electric Proms, playing dilruba on the track "Birds Flew Backwards", reprising a role he performed on their album "Kingdom of Rust". Throughout 2009 Baluji toured with his "Song Celestial" project, a new composition based on sacred Hindu scripture The Bhagavad Gita. Baluji's "Goddess" album will be released in 2010 on the ARC Music label, his first solo album release since 2007's "Shadow of the Lotus". Niyireth Alarcón - Concert dates in Colombia & Ecuador
Niyireth Alarcón will be performing in Colombia and Ecuador throughout 2010. The Colombian mezzosoprano, who released her international debut album "Musica Colombiana Andina" on the ARC label in January 2009, has earned many fans in South America with her clear, emotive voice and impeccable singing technique. Niyireth can be seen at the following venues throughout 2010: CALI (COLOMBIA) POPAYÁN (COLOMBIA) PASTO (COLOMBIA) IBARRA (ECUADOR) CUENCA (ECUADOR) QUITO (ECUADOR) IBARRA (ECUADOR) GINEBRA - VALLE (COLOMBIA) MEDELLÍN (COLOMBIA) SEVILLA - VALLE (COLOMBIA) ARC Music on YouTube
You can now watch videos of your favourite ARC Music artists on YouTube. ARC Music has just set up a YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ARCMusicProductions Our first video is the Silk String Quartet's gorgeous performance of .Three and Six ., the opening track from their 2007 album .Contemporary and Traditional Chinese Music . (EUCD2095). More videos will be added very soon, and we aim to keep you updated with regular videos featuring ARC Music artists, so make sure you 'subscribe'. David Fanshawe awarded honorary degree of Doctor of Music
David Fanshawe has been awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of the West of England (UWE). The University's press team confirmed that the award was conferred on Mr Fanshawe .in recognition of his outstanding contribution to bringing music from around the world into the lives of people who neither read nor write music and to his pursuit of musical excellence, which is synonymous with the aims of the University's Centre for Performing Arts. . The Honorary Degree was conferred at the Awards Ceremony of the Faculty of Creative Arts at Bristol Cathedral on Friday 13 November. Mr Fanshawe said, .This award I proudly accept in the spirit of the University's ethos bettertogether. In my serendipitous career, through the adventures of Music and Travel, I have been privileged to experience our world as a composer and musical explorer. It is now my humble dream to go on sharing my aspirations with future generations, through the legacy of my Sound Archives; and by fulfilling my life's missions, which are: to celebrate the universal language of music; to record for posterity endangered World Music, threatened with extinction; to seek inspiration for my own compositions - thus uniting musical worlds apart. Thank you University of the West of England, for your quite unexpected honour and tribute. . David Fanshawe, is a composer, ethnic sound recordist, photographer, a Churchill Fellow, and an Ivor Novello award nominee. He was born in 1942 in Devon, England and was educated at St. George's Choir School and Stowe, after which he joined a documentary film company. In 1965 he won a Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. His ambition to record indigenous folk music began in the Middle East, in 1966 and was intensified on subsequent journeys through North and East Africa (1969-75) resulting in his unique and highly original blend of music and travel. His work has been the subject of BBCTV documentaries including: African Sanctus, Arabian Fantasy, Musical Mariner (National Geographic) and Tropical Beat. Since 1978, his ten years of research in the Pacific have resulted in a monumental archive, documenting the music and oral traditions of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. He now lives in Wiltshire, England, where he is consolidating his life's work whilst composing his magnum opus work-in-progress Pacific Odyssey which includes Pacific Song: Chants from the Kingdom of Tonga. ARC Music at WOMEX 2009
ARC Music has just returned from a very successful trip to Copenhagen for WOMEX, the world's biggest professional music conference, trade fair and showcase for world, roots, folk, ethnic, traditional, alternative world, local and diaspora music. Held between 28th October and 1st November, the event was attended by some 2700 world music professionals. Among them were ARC staff Julia Beyer (A&R), Diz Heller (Assistant Art Director) and Chris Tomsett (Media Relations) who exhibited ARC Music's huge catalogue at our stand, making new contacts with artists, promoters, booking agencies, DJs and journalists. 
Our WOMEX experience was highlighted by an award ceremony at our stand in which Insingizi's leader, Vusa Mkhaya, was presented with a gold disc in recognition of sales in excess of 250,000 units of the North American release of Insingizi's international debut album. Following the presentation, Vusa delighted the crowd with a song, accompanied by Mamadou Diabate on djembe. In addition to Vusa, other ARC Music artists in attendance included Baluji Shrivastav, Zoreh Jooya, Gong Linna, Dhoad Gypsies, Bapi Das Baul and Maik Wolter (Pied Pipers). In the evening the venue moved from the trade fair at Copenhagen's Bella Centre to the new state-of-the-art Copenhagen Concert Centre (DR Koncerthuset), the most expensive concert hall ever built. Showcases there included the spectacular Korean ensemble Dulsori, Bulgaria's Eva Quartet and Kenyan stars Kenge Kenge. It was a fantastic experience to observe the level of professionalism and the sense of brotherhood among the world music community, and to meet so many friends, both old and new. We made many new contacts, including some truly wonderful artists. Next year's release plan is already starting to look very interesting, indeed…
Hossam Ramzy collaborates with Shakira on her new album
"Egypt's Ambassador of Rhythm" Hossam Ramzy is to feature on the eagerly awaited new album by international superstar Shakira. Entitled "She Wolf", the album has its worldwide release in October 2009. The"Hips Don't Lie" singer invited Ramzy to her studio in Nassau, Bahamas, to play percussion and provide a Middle Eastern arrangement to the track "Why Wait (For Later)" , described by Billboard magazine as "a dancefloor scorcher by way of Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir'". In fact, it was Ramzy's work with Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant on their mid-nineties "No Quarter: Unledded" reunion which lead to Shakira asking him to collaborate with her on her new album: "She said that this was her most inspiring album of all time, so she asked me to arrange one of her songs", says Hossam. 
The new album, "She Wolf", is the eagerly awaited follow up to 2005's "Oral Fixation, Vol. 2". Produced by The Neptunes producer and N.E.R.D. star Pharrell Williams, Shakira has described the album as "very electronic and dance-oriented, club-oriented", but as with her other albums it will incorporate "elements from different cultures. So you're going to find Indian, Africa, Colombian, Middle Eastern influences, but always with the synthesizers as a dominant element.". Himself no stranger to multiculturalism, having released over 25 albums of world music and Egyptian dance, Hossam was excited at the prospect of working with Shakira: "She is a very generous, talented, energetic and very enlightened artist whom I admired since the first time I heard her. Being half Colombian and half Lebanese, she blends various genres of music and cultures together in a fascinating melting pot that touched the right chord in people's minds and hearts. And as a matter of fact, there is a strong belly dance element in the song as you will be able to hear. I was very pleased with the result and I hope that it will be well received by Shakira's fans worldwide." As a pre-eminent figure in belly dance music, Hossam is enthusiastic about Shakira's use of the art form in her work, describing her as "a formidable dancer who has brought the art of Middle Eastern dance to the foreground of loved and appreciated forms of dance. We discussed how she managed to bring it in together with her Colombian, Lebanese, rock & pop as well as R'n'B influences, and how the art is growing rapidly to the point that now, many studios are offering 'Shakira Style' belly dance classes. " With this project Shakira becomes the latest in a long line of superstars to enlist Ramzy's talents, along with the aforementioned Led Zeppelin stars, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Jay-Z, Ricky Martin, Chick Corea, and many more. He has been described as "the Egyptian percussionist who rock stars call when their tracks need spicing up a little"(Songlines magazine), and is currently at the top of his game, having just released "Ruby", his latest album of Classical Egyptian dance on the ARC Music label. Yale Strom featured in United Nations Concert for Pakistan Line-up alongside Sting and Deepak Chopra
On the 12th of September Yale Strom will be performing at the General Assembly at the United Nations as part of the .Concert for Pakistan .. The Concert for Pakistan has been organized to raise awareness and funds for the millions of Pakistanis who have been displaced during the war between the Pakistani military and the Taliban. World-renowned artists Sting and Deepak Chopra are amongst other musicians to perform at this event. Yale will join Sufi rock band Junoon's Salman Ahmad, described by the New York Times as "South Asia's answer to Santana". Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Salman Ahmad is one of South Asia's most influential cultural figures, as well as a musician, physician and United Nations goodwill ambassador. The Concert for Pakistan hopes to echo the success of the Concert for Bangladesh (1971), a landmark concert organized to raise humanitarian aid in the aftermath of Bangladesh separating from Pakistan. Beatles George Harrison and Ringo Starr took part in that historic event as did Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and others. Yale Strom's popular album entitled "Borsht with Bread, Brothers - Klezmer" was released in September 2007. Sanju Sahai performs at .An Evening of Indian Classical Music & Dance . in Berkshire
Sanju Sahai, one of the finest Indian tabla players, is performing at The West Wing in Slough, Berkshire on the 12th September. Sanju will perform alongside Roopa Panesar (sitar), Poulomi Chakraborty (vocalist) and Jaymini Chauhan (Kathak dancer). The performance promises to be a combination of solo recitals and culminate into an interactive dialogue between musicians and dancer. Sanju , also known as Vishnu Sahai, belongs to the Benares Gharana being the 6th generation of tabla players in that family [Pandit Ram Sahai, founder of the Benares Gharana - Pt. Gaori Sahai - Bhairoy Sahai - Bhagvati Sahai - Ram Shankar Sahai - Vishnu (Sanju) Sahai]. He began playing at the age of four and gave his first major performance aged 9. He has accompanied many of India's legendary musicians such as Pt Birju Maharaj (Kathak), Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Pandits Rajan, Sajan Mishra (Khayaal), Umyalpuram Shivraman (Mridangam) and Ustaad Ashish Khan (sarod) to name but a few. Sanju is also known as a soloist; however he is not merely a percussionist but an imaginative and sensitive musician. He has performed throughout India, UK, Europe, Middle East and USA. He has performed for her Majesty the Queen as well as for Prince Charles at Highgrove. Tickets for the concert are available by contacting the box office on 01628 788997 or by email at boxoffice@nordenfarm.org The tickets are £8.00 (£7.00 conc) and £28.00 for 4 people. Hossam & Serena Ramzy in Concert
Hossam and Serena Ramzy will be performing with their Egyptian Orchestra at City Academy Bristol on 9th October 2009. The performance is part of a weekend of the spirit of Egypt hosted by the couple which will also include dance workshops. The schedule is as follows: Friday 9th October, 7.30pm Saturday 10th October, 12 - 6pm Sunday 11th October, 12 - 6pm Tickets are available at Hossam's website, with concessions for booking the concert plus one or more of the workshops. Head over to www.hossamramzy.com. for further information. Rachel Magoola performing at London African Music Festival
Rachel Magoola will be performing at The Southbank Centre as part of the 7th London African Music Festival. .Uganda's No.1 Diva . takes to the stage at 5.30pm on Sunday 13th September. Tickets for the show are priced at £20 and are available from www.southbankcentre.co.uk. Former leader of Uganda's biggest pop group, Afrigo Band, Rachel Magoola made her solo international recording debut in April 2006 with .Songs from the Source of the Nile . You can order (ARC Music EUCD1973) Songs from the Source of the Nile CD here The London African music festival is an annual 3 day event showcasing the best in African music. Also performing this year is African music legend Oliver Mtukudzi and stars such as El Andaluz, N'Flay Kouyate and Ba Cissoko. For further information please visit www.joyfulnoise.co.uk John Leckie names "Ravi's Afro-Indian Project" in list of 10 essential albums
Legendary producer John Leckie has recently spoken about the 10 essential albums he has worked on & and the list includes ARC Music artist Ravi's very own "Afro-Indian Project" (EUCD2205). Since working as a studio-hand at Abbey Road Studios in 1970, Leckie has gone on to produce albums for Radiohead ('The Bends' 1995), Muse ('Showbiz' 1999 and 'Origin of Symmetry' 2001) as well as The Stone Roses eponymous 1989 debut, which is frequently ranked highly in "Greatest album of all-time" polls. Speaking with website The Quietus (www.thequietus.com), Mr Leckie says of The Afro-Indian Project: "Recorded in my mate Ravi's kitchen in Muswell Hill this has a beautiful blend of African kora played by Ravi and tabla from world renowned Bhikaram Ghosh [sic] and santoor sounds from Tarun Bhattacharya. Playable at any time any place." Ravi is in good company on Leckie's list, which also features artists such as Roy Harper, Dr John and Bill Nelson. To view the full list please click here She'koyokh Ensemble UK Concert DatesShe'koyokh Klezmer Ensemble have announced 3 new concert dates in London and the South East in September 2009, starting with the Klezmer in the Park festival on the sixth. She'koyokh, who released their debut album, "Sandanski's Chicken" on ARC Music in January 2008, have established quite a name for themselves on the live circuit with their raucous and lively performances. You won't want to miss this opportunity to see the group described by Sing Out! magazine as " &one of the very brightest [Klezmer Ensembles] to emerge from the UK". 
Details of the 3 performances are as follows: Klezmer in the Park, 1-6pm The Tabernacle, 7.30pm-late Livestock Festival 11 to 13 Sept 09 World Music Central Review on "Iranian Percussion" AlbumThe following review was published recently on www.worldmusiccentral.org on EUCD2218 "Iranian Percussion" by Ramin Rahimi & Tapesh: 
Iran's been in the news a lot lately, though everyone knows there's more to the place than turmoil and political/religious unrest coming to a boiling point. But if a majority of Iran's population is looking to march to a different drum, I do believe I've come across the guy who should play it. Being something of a drummer myself, I was humbled the first time I saw a master percussionist have a go at a Persian tombak drum, using all ten of his fingers independently and collectively to create sounds you wouldn't think one person (or one drum) could make. Iran's Ramin Rahimi is just such a tombak master, and his command of a good many other types of drums is mind-boggling as well. He also plays in the first progressive heavy metal band from Iran to ever sign with a European record label, leads an all-percussion orchestra based in Tehran and teaches drumming at that city's most esteemed music institute. But don't just take my word that he's versatile. If you're a percussion lover or believer in the power of drumming, this one's for you. You'll not only hear Rahimi's wizardry on the tombak, you'll get more than an inkling of his expertise on drum set, cajon, daf, darbuka, dhol, djembe and a few other things... A lot of the tracks have one-word titles that they more than live up to: "Swing", "Excitement", "Sweet", etc., and everything on the disc works so well because Rahimi isn't just about getting fast and furious. He knows how to create varied textures of sound, timbre and rhythm that can be totally locked-in one moment and entirely unpredictable the next. Apart from knowing everything there is to know about Middle Eastern cadences, he's well versed in the languages of rock, jazz and African rhythms, coming across at times like a combination of John Bonham, Buddy Rich, Hossam Ramzy and Olatunji. As possessed as a madman and as delicate as a surgeon, Ramin Rahimi plays those opposites and all points in between with astounding skill, agility and the feeling that he's having a blast doing it. Son Real Orchestra nominated for GSD Latin American Music AwardSalsa group Son Real Orchestra have been nominated for the GSD Latin American Music Awards UK 2009. The song 'London Tropical' from their album (ARC Music, EUCD2136) has been nominated in the category of Best Latin Song. Please click here to vote. 
ARC Music artists named 'Artists in Residence' at Sound of Asia summer schoolThree ARC Music artists will be contributing to The Asian Music Circuit's 2009 Sounds of Asia summer school at London's Kingston University. Liz Walters (taiko drums - Joji Hirota and the Taiko Drummers), Sun Zhou (guzheng - Silk String Quartet) and Japanese koto virtuoso Dr. Ayako Hotta Lister have all been named as Artists in Residence for the week-long event, which takes place between 25th July and 1st August 2009. They will be holding workshops throughout the week on their respective instruments, as well as teaming up with guqin-maestro Professor Zeng Chengwei to deliver a showcase of Chinese and Japanese instrumental music at the Southbank Centre on Sunday 26th July. Tickets for the performance are priced at £12 and are available from www.southbankcentre.co.uk. The Sounds of Asia summer school is now in its 12th year, and this year it gives students the chance to learn from internationally renowned artists from India, China and Japan. Further information about the summer school and its events is available at the Asian Music Circuit's website at www.amc.org.uk/summer_schools. 
Narasirato Panpipers US concert dates
The Narasirato Panpipers bring their authentic tribal music of the Solomon Islands to the United States in September and October 2009. Surrounded by virgin rainforest and idyllic lagoons, the Narasirato Pan Pipers live at the end of a mangrove forest in Oterama Village, at the remote southern end of Malaita Island, in the Solomon Islands. Their village is only accessible by canoe or overland by foot. They will be performing in the United States on the following dates: 
Sanju Sahai to perform tribute to the late Pandit Kishan Maharaj
Sanju Sahai, one of the most accomplished tabla players in the world, will be performing at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London, on Saturday 9th May 2009. Sahai will be accompanied by the haunting melodies of the sarangi played by the acclaimed Pandit Ramesh Mishra. The duo will pay special tribute to the late Pandit Kishan Maharaj, one of the greatest exponents of the Benares tabla tradition. Enjoy an evening of two outstanding musicians coming together in an exhilarating evening of percussion and melody in rhythmical conversation reflecting the spirit of Benares. During the concert, audience members will also have an opportunity to speak with the musicians and learn more about the musical tradition of Benares. Tickets are available via the Southbank Centre website www.southbankcentre.co.uk or by calling 0871 663 2500 and are priced at £15 and £12 (concessions 50% off - limited availability). Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi European Concert DatesKlezmer stars Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi are to perform several concerts around Europe in June 2009:
Venues are to be announced soon at Yale Strom's website www.yalestrom.com. Please visit regularly to find details of concerts in your area. You can find details of Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi's album "Borsht with Bread, Brothers" here. Solá Akingbolá Announced as Finalist in Independent Music Awards
Nigerian percussionist Solá Akingbolá has been announced as a finalist in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards. The song "Olukumi" from his debut album Routes to Roots (ARC EUCD2114) is one of five tracks nominated in the category 'Best Song - World Fusion.' 
The song was nominated by a judging panel comprised of industry insiders, as well as famed musicians such as Peter Gabriel, Suzanne Vega, The Who frontman Roger Daltrey, Blues legend Buddy Guy, country star George Jones and guitar virtuoso Steve Vai. You can vote for Solá at the Independent Music Awards website www.independentmusicawards.com Winners of the 'people's choice' vote will be announced in April 2009. Blessings Nqo 2009 Tour Dates
Blessings Nqo will be touring Europe extensively in 2009 in support of his latest album release "Mbube and Gospel from Southern Africa". The album, released by ARC Music in January, is Blessings' third solo release. Blessings is also a member of the successful vocal group, Insingizi, together with band mates Vusa Ndlovu and Dumisani "Ramadu" Moyo. You can catch Blessings, either solo or with Insingizi, in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Visit www.blessingsnqo.net for full details of the tour and remember to check back regularly as more dates may be added in future. You can order Blessings' new CD here Insingizi Composes Music for PBS Nature Programme on US TelevisionA new nature programme premieres on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) this weekend, and it features music from Zimbabwean vocal group Insingizi. "Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears" is the latest episode in PBS' "Nature" series.  Filmed in South Africa's Drakensberg mountain range the documentary chronicles the hardships of the nomadic eland, a member of the antelope family, and their perilous mountain trek in search of greener pastures. Insingizi's music can be heard throughout. "Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears" premieres on PBS on Sunday February 8th at 8pm (check local listings). Baluji Shrivastav Commissioned For Groundbreaking Project Based On The Bhagavad GitaMaster sitar player Baluji Shrivastav has been commissioned by St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace to create a major new work based on the Bhagavad Gita. Musicians from different cultures will team up with a spoken word artist to retell a chapter of the epic sacred Hindu scripture. Entitled "Song Celestial" this pioneering project will feature a unique blend of surbahar (bass sitar), kora (West African harp-lute), violin, tanpura (Indian drone instrument) and spoken word. You can catch the premier performance at St. Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation, London, on Friday 27th February at 7.30pm. A UK tour will be announced at a later date. Tickets are available from www.stethelburgas.org priced at £15. Tummel UK Concert Dates in FebruaryKlezmer septet Tummel have announced three UK performances in February 2009. You can see them at:
Tummel's music fuses traditional klezmer with Swedish and Balkan folk, Jazz and other influences. You can listen to soundclips here. An evening of Coimbra Fado with Verdes AnosFado group Verdes Anos will make their UK debut at London's Astoria 2 on Saturday 22nd November 2008. The performance coincides with the release of the group's album of Coimbra Fado on the ARC Music label.  Verdes Anos Verdes Anos is a Fado group from Coimbra, Portugal, formed in 1996. Its members all met in the corridors of the AAC (Academic Association of Coimbra) where they all were, or had been, students. Academic life and Fado go hand-in-hand in Coimbra. Historically, Fado came to Coimbra from Lisbon, was picked up by the students of the University, and has been part of their academic traditions ever since. The 'Fado de Coimbra' differs from its more widely-known Lisbon-based cousin in its more structured pattern and the fact that it is sung exclusively by men. Verdes Anos are currently one of the main exponents of the genre. Joining Verdes Anos on the split-bill will be Portuguese classical / rock fusion group Corvos. Please visit www.verdesanos.com/home.htm for more information. Music from "The Art of the Chinese Harp" used in Hollywood blockbuster, "Burn After Reading"
Music by ARC Music artist Xiao Ying is featured in Hollywood's latest blockbuster, "Burn After Reading". Described as "a tightly wound, slickly plotted spy comedy..." by the Guardian, the film stars such Hollywood heavyweights as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and John Malkovich and is directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, the team behind the films "The Big Lebowski", "O Brother, Where Art Thou" and the multi-Oscar-winning "No Country for Old Men". It is no surprise, then, that the film went straight in at number 1 on the US Box Office charts. The track used is "Moon over Western River" and is taken from Xiao Ying's 2004 album "The Art of the Chinese Harp - Guzheng" (ARC Music EUCD1877). The use of this music further establishes ARC Music as a resource for music in film and TV, having also had music featured in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull", the most recent James Bond film "Casino Royale" and many others. Click here for further details. "Burn After Reading" is at theatres across North America now and will be released in the UK on 17th October 2008. Hossam Ramzy featured on No. 1 World music album, "Big Blue Ball"Egypt's master percussionist Hossam Ramzy is featured on "Big Blue Ball", the latest release from Peter Gabriel's Real World Records.  Big Blue Ball album by Peter Gabriel and friends Hossam composed and performed the track "Habibe", which also features Natacha Atlas (vocals) and an Egyptian string section led by Hossam. The album, which has been at No. 1 and is still riding high in the Billboard World Music charts, is the result of three "recording weeks" at the Real World studios in Box, Wiltshire during the early nineties. Fellow ARC Music musicians Cheng Yu and Joji Hirota are also featured on the release. Other featured artists include Sinead O'Connor, Papa Wemba, Billy Cobham and, of course, Peter Gabriel himself. Hossam remembers the experience of recording with Peter Gabriel and Natacha Atlas as being "like Christmas... and my birthday in one." Members of Silk & Bamboo Ensemble perform score for Hollywood blockbusterMembers of the Silk & Bamboo Ensemble are featured on the musical score for the new Hollywood blockbuster "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" starring Brendon Fraser, Jet Li and John Hannah. Cheng Yu, Xiao Ran and Liu Xiaohu have been working with acclaimed composer Randy Edelman on the score, which is heavily featured in the film and according to Edelman "is longer than the actual film, with over 140 minutes music". The ensemble has also just completed recording a new album for ARC Music, which will be released on 29th September 2008.  Released 29th September 2008 The Silk & Bamboo Ensemble is a part of the UK Chinese Music Ensemble, whose musicians have already recorded the following albums for ARC Music:
ARC Music artists Cheng Yu, Polina Shepherd and Razia Aziz at the Brighton World Sacred Music FestivalThree ARC Music artists will be performing in Brighton in October as part of the 2008 Brighton Festival of World Sacred Music. Wednesday 15th October, 8pm: Polina Shepherd will perform Jewish folk songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian with the Chutzpah Choir at Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton. Tickets: £6 - £10. Saturday 18th October, 1pm: Cheng Yu performs a programme of devotional music on the two most celebrated Chinese classical instruments - the pipa (four-stringed lute) and guqin (seven-stringed zither). Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton. Tickets: £7 Razia Aziz is one of the organisers of the festival, and will be making a cameo appearance on Tuesday 14th October at the free dusk concert (approx 5pm) held at the Chattri Memorial on the South Downs. Please visit www.worldsacredmusic.org for more information. Hossam & Serena Ramzy Belly Dance workshop: Classical Choreography from the Golden Era of Modern Egyptian DanceHossam Ramzy is to host another classical Egyptian dance workshop with his wife Serena at Dance Attic Studios in Fulham, South West London, on Saturday 4th October 2008. In this workshop, Serena has created a new choreography to the song "Sowar El Habibah" from Hossam's multi award winning album "Faddah". Grand introduction, intricate Baladi Dancing within the composition, powerful Saidi and much more... The 70's and 80's have been named the Golden Era of Modern Egyptian Dance. This music is a revival of the times when the big names of dance such as Mona El Said, Hala El Safy, Shushu Amin & Azza Sherif enjoyed being the queens of the dance in Egypt's club scene. Get your hip scarves on ... this is a strong one by Serena. For more information please visit www.hossamramzy.com Cheng Yu and the Silk String Quartet to perform at London's Royal Opera HouseChinese musician Cheng Yu and members of the Silk String Quartet will perform in the orchestra for the theatre production of Monkey: Journey to the West at London's Royal Opera House this month.  Silk String Quartet Overseen by Chinese director Chen Shi-zheng, the production boasts a score composed by former Blur and Gorillaz singer Damon Albarn, and set and costume designs by his Gorillaz co-creator Jamie Hewlett. It is based upon the 16th Century Chinese novel Journey to the West and tells the tale of 'Monkey', who hatched from a stone egg, and his subsequent journey towards enlightenment. The show will run at the Royal Opera House from 23rd - 26th July 2008, having already enjoyed stints at the Palace Theatre Manchester, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and its US premier at the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information and for tickets to the show please visit www.monkeyjourneytothewest.com Cheng Yu's music can be found on the ARC Music releases "Chinese Masterpieces of the Pipa and Qin" (EUCD2074) and "The Silk String Quartet - Contemporary & Traditional Chinese Music" (EUCD2095), as well as the compilations "Chinese Classical Folk Music" (EUCD1564), "Exotic Strings" (EUCD1823) and "The Very Best of Chinese Music" (EUCD1947). 
Another ARC Music artist, Suzzana Owiyo, Added to London's 46664 Concert Line-up Kenyan vocalist and guitarist Suzzana Owiyo has been added to the line-up for the upcoming 46664 concert, to be held in London's Hyde Park on 27th June 2008. Suzzana is one of her country's most popular singers and has been called the "Tracy Chapman of Kenya" owing to her acoustic style and powerful, earthy vocals. She achieved national stardom in Kenya in 2001 with her monster-hit "Kisumu 100" and the release of her debut album "Mama Africa" a year later. The 46664 events are a series of charity concerts organised by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in response to the Global HIV AIDS epidemic. The name 46664 is taken from Mandela's prison number during his incarceration on Robben Island between 1964 and 1990. This year's event also coincides with Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations. Suzzana is the second ARC Music artist announced to be performing at the concert, following the news that Barry Van Zyl will be performing with the Johnny Clegg Band. Other African artists who will be performing include Sipho Mabuse, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Papa Wemba and Emmanuel Jal. They will be joined by international megastars including Annie Lennox, Queen + Paul Rogers, Amy Winehouse, Dame Shirley Bassey, Eminem, Leona Lewis and many others. The concert is being hosted by actor Will Smith.   Suzzana's debut album is the ARC Music release "Mama Africa" [EUCD1875] and she is also featured on "Spotlight on Kenyan Music" [EUCD2030]. Master Harpist Oscar Benito Plays at Paraguayan Harp FestivalHarpist Oscar Benito will be attending the 3rd Paraguayan Harp Weekend held in Appleton, Oxfordshire over the weekend of 27th - 29th June 2008. Oscar is one of Paraguay's foremost harp players, having represented his country in the "OTI-Festival" in Valencia, Spain in 1993. He has released Best of the Paraguayan Harp [EUCD1896] with ARC Music, and is featured on Masters of the Harp [EUCD1764] and Best of Latin America [EUCD2052] among others. 
The weekend will play host to a series of jamming sessions, workshops and lessons (beginners welcome!) as well as two concerts at nearby Cumnor Village Hall and Holywell Music Room. It will end with a traditional Paraguayan barbecue on the Sunday 29th June. Tickets will cost approximately £50 for the weekend and can be ordered by sending an email to robert.munro@me.uk. So be sure to head down to Appleton for a weekend of exquisite music and Paraguayan culture. ARC Music tracks feature in new Indiana Jones movie - Kingdom of the Crystal Skull The long awaited and eagerly anticipated new instalment of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster "Indiana Jones" movies is finally coming to our cinemas this spring - and it features glorious Russian folk music from ARC Music album Best of Russian Folk Songs, EUCD1146. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is set to be a smash hit, with original actor Harrison Ford reprising the eponymous lead role nearly 20 years after the last film was made in 1989. The all star cast also includes Oscar winning screen siren Cate Blanchett, Oscar winning actor Jim Broadbent, British icons John Hurt and Ray Winstone, and actress Karen Allen, who starred in the very first of the series, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Our tracks that will be heard in the movie, 'Uri Balki' (Fishing) and 'Maja galobuschka' (My Little dove), are popular Russian folk songs by the Balalaika Ensemble "Wolga". The unique sounds of the balalaikas and the strong deep voices of the Russian singers truly express the culture of Russia through this beautiful music.  Because the ARC Music catalogue comprises such a wide variety of authentic music from around the world, it has already been employed by the movie and television industries as an extensive resource. Our albums have also featured in Steven Spielberg's epic "Munich", the internationally acclaimed latest James Bond "Casino Royale", and most recently the action-packed film "The Kingdom", to name just a few. Don't miss seeing this rollercoaster ride of a film when it's released near you, and listen out for our music! Barry Van Zyl performing at Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday concert in LondonTo celebrate the inspirational revolutionary-turned-peacemaker Nelson Mandela turning 90 years old, a huge concert is being held at Hyde Park in London, the city Mandela has long regarded as his second home. The "46664 Concert" - referring to the former president's prison number - will take place on June 27, with performances from many international musicians including the South African Johnny Clegg band, for whom Barry Van Zyl is the percussionist. Barry has released two pulse-raising African percussion albums with ARC Music - Goema Music from Cape Town, South Africa [EUCD2133], and African Heartbeat - Drums and Percussion from Southern Africa [EUCD2144]. Other African acts include Sipho Mabuse, Loyiso, Kurt Darren, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Aids orphan choir The Children of Agape, Papa Wemba and Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal. Along with these superb African talents, there will be various superstars from across the globe, including the likes of Queen, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, Dame Shirley Bassey, Razorlight, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant and Jamelia. The concert will also feature some unexpected appearances, with several major artists keeping silent about their involvement in order to take both Mr Mandela and the audience by surprise. Ticket proceeds will go to the 46664 campaign which raises awareness about the impact of AIDS, especially in Africa, and promotes effective HIV prevention measures throughout the world. For more information and tickets, visit www.46664.com. She'koyokh Ensemble awarded first prize at the International Jewish Music Festival.Last week, from the 9th to the 12th May, the annual International Jewish Music Festival took place in Amsterdam, Holland. The main event of the festival is a 3-day competition where Jewish bands battle it out to claim first prize in the contest as musicians or ensembles with a goal of an international career focusing on Jewish music. Performances are judged by a jury of international Jewish music experts, including leading figures from the music and recording industry Peter van der Heyden (Universal Music) and Frank London (The Klezmatics).  She'koyokh Klezmer Ensemble After 3 days of competing, She'koyokh Klezmer Ensemble stood out to the judges with their exhilarating live performances of Eastern European Jewish music and they were awarded the prestigious first prize. The ensemble are obviously very excited and honoured to have been selected as the winners among all the other talented acts, and they will return to the competition in 2009 to give a concert and inspiration to next year's competitors. To hear the electrifying music of the She'koyokh Klezmer Ensemble, check out their ARC Music album "Sandanski's Chicken" [EUCD2122]. Master percussionist Hossam Ramzy concerts and workshops at this year's WOMADInternational master of Egyptian percussion Hossam Ramzy will be performing and holding workshops at the WOMAD festival this year, as well as holding a very special week long work shop at WOMAD Summer School. WOMAD stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance and was set up in 1982 by Genesis lead singer Peter Gabriel. The festival brings together many forms of the arts from different countries and cultures all over the globe. Revellers will experience around 70 acts from around the world on both indoor and outdoor stages, experiencing a range of music and dance. Hossam Ramzy and his orchestra will be performing classical Egyptian dance music live, featuring the beautiful and brilliant dancing of Serena Ramzy. He and Serena will also be holding drumming and dance workshops during the festival.  Hossam Ramzy and his Orchestra The first WOMAD Summer School took place in 2007 and returns this year following its huge success. The Summer School is an opportunity for attendants to deepen their musical experience by learning directly from the most exceptional and accomplished talents in the industry. There will be classes in music, voice and dance, ensemble tuition, discussion sessions and workshops in musical and performance techniques. This year Hossam Ramzy and his wife Serena will be teaching a 5 day, hands-on workshop in Egyptian Percussion, in which they will share their enormous breadth of experience with students and participants will work together to create new music and dance possibilities.  Hossam and Serena Ramzy The festival and the Summer School are both set to be spectacular experiences and very popular, so be sure to get your tickets early. Festival dates: Friday 25th July until Sunday 27th July 2008 Summer School dates: Monday 28th July until Friday 1st August 2008. For more information and tickets, please visit www.womad.org. All Night Concert in New York featuring Bansuri maestro Pandit Ronu MajumdarOn Saturday 10th May a very special all night concert of Indian classical music will take place at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York, USA. The concert begins at 9pm on the Saturday and finishes at 8am on the Sunday. Among the line up of highly skilled Indian classical music artists, Bansuri (Indian flute) master Pandit Ronu Majumdar will be performing from 2am to 3:45am. Pandit Ronu Majumdar is one of India's top flautists and he has performed at some of the most prestigious venues across the world, including as the Kremlin in Moscow and the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels. For his accomplishments he has won numerous awards (and was nominated for a Grammy in 1996), and has been musically associated with many international artists such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, ex-Beatle George Harrison and guitarist Ry Cooder. He has recorded a large number of albums, including "Master of the Indian Bansuri" [EUCD2056], with ARC Music.  For a whole night of pure Indian classical music indulgence, be sure to attend this concert and hear Pandit Ronu Majumdar's glorious Bansuri playing. For more details, please visit www.tabla.org/allnight.html Baluji Shrivastav and others launch World Music Nights in LondonOn Saturday May 3rd, Baluji Shrivastav, Linda Shanson and Chris Conway, who form the ensemble "Jazz Orient", will be launching the first in a series of "world music" nights in London.    Baluji is one of the greatest instrumentalists India has produced, excelling in sitar, surbahar, dilruba, pakhavaj and tabla, and he expertly weaves the Indian flavours through Jazz Orient's music. Linda Shanson provides gorgeous vocals, and Chris Conway supplies jazz on guitar, keyboard, tin whistle and sometimes the thermin. The trio feature on the album "Re-Orient" [EUCD1982], and Baluji has released six other albums on ARC Music as well. The show takes place at The Crypt, a gem of a live music venue situated in the very atmospheric crypt below Camberwell's St. Giles Church. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £7, £5 concessions. The church is located on Camberwell Church Street and is a ten minute walk from Camberwell Green tube station, or you can get the following buses:
Hossam and Serena Ramzy performing in Bath in AprilThe Persian-Egyptian-Turkish Dance & Music Festival is being held in Bath, at The Assembly Rooms and the University of Bath, from the 18th to the 20th April 2008. The event will feature workshops, seminars and performances of beautiful exotic music and dance. Hossam Ramzy, with his Egyptian Orchestra will be performing in concert, accompanied by stunning dance from his wife Serena Ramzy and her troupe.  Hossam is famous for his brilliant Egyptian sounds - he has collaborated with and produced albums for a multitude of famous artists including Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, The Gipsy Kings and Peter Gabriel. He has released over 45 albums (just search the ARC Music site for "Hossam Ramzy" to see his collection) and has toured and performed across the world with Serena. It will be an un-missable event mixing the flavours of Persian, Egyptian and Turkish music and dance to educate, entertain and enchant. For more information, please visit: www.1001nights.org.uk, or contact the ICIA (Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts) Box Office on 01225 386 777. Razia Aziz performing at the World Sacred Music Festival in BrightonOn the 18th May, Razia Aziz will be performing Sufi songs and Rumi poems as part of the World Sacred Music Festival. The show, titled "The Buddha, the Sufi and Friends", commences at 7:30pm, with actor Simon Lovat exploring the place of Buddha in modern life, followed by the performances of beautiful songs and poetry by Razia Aziz and Ashley Ramsden. It will be an inspirational and enlightening night, taking place at the venue the Friends' Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AF. The entrance fee is £7.50, £5.00 with concessions. Visit www.worldsacredmusic.org for more information. Razia very recently released the album "Songs of Love and Devotion from India & Pakistan - Between Heaven & Earth", EUCD2127, with ARC Music, on which she presents her stunning voice with a collection of ghazals, sufi qalams and folk songs from northern India and Pakistan. Enrique Ugarte and Mike Oldfield world premiere concert in SpainIncredibly versatile conductor and musician Enrique Ugarte is conducting the world premiere concert of Mike Oldfield's symphonic compositions "Music of the Spheres". Mike Oldfield is famous for his many excellent musical compositions, particularly the album "Tubular Bells", which was used in the movie "The Exorcist". Enrique has been a musician since childhood, he gave his first public concert before an audience of 1,500 people when he was just 4 years old. He went on to train professionally on the accordion, oboe and as a conductor. He's received many international awards and prizes, and has conducted renowned orchestras including the English Chamber Orchestra and Basque National Orchestra. As an accordionist he has recorded numerous albums - 7 with ARC Music, such as Café Paris - Accordion Favourites [EUCD2106], Café Musette [EUCD1827] and 20 Best of Tango Argentino [EUCD1629]. The concert is being held at the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, in Spain on the 7 March. Soloists Mike Oldfield and Hayley Westenra will accompanied by the Euskadiko Orchestra and Bilbao Choral Society, with Enrique Ugarte conducting the Basque National Orchestra. International music producer and composer on ARC Music label wins a second Grammy awardImmensely talented and respected in his field, Robin Hogarth's musicianship has for a second time received high recognition by the international Grammy Awards judges with "African Spirit", by The Soweto Gospel Choir. The album, which was produced by Robin, won the "Best Traditional World Music Album" award at the 50th Grammy awards held in Los Angeles on the 10th February 2008. He also produced the Choir's previous album "Blessed", which too won the Grammy at the 2007 awards.  Robin has over 50 albums to his credit, including World Moods albums with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Enigma, ARC Music albums "Tribal Beatz of Africa", "South African Gospel" and "Ancient Civilisations of Southern Africa", to name just a few. His music has been used in film and TV productions in almost every country in the world. He has worked within African and World music for many years, and is involved in developing new recording approaches to both technically capture African choral and playing techniques, and to develop in the studio the capacity to reproduce the level of excitement and live communication of African music. Robin's projects currently underway are diverse and numerous. He says, "Every day brings new challenges, and new and wonderful music, rhythm and cultural panoramas: I love what I do as it continually opens up new futures, and the adventure is ever changing". He has worked on more than 20 ARC Music albums all to a beautiful result. Listeners will find the CDs he has produced, often featuring genuine African tribal musicians or unrecorded choir groups, excellently capture the culture and energy of the people. We at ARC Music are very proud and happy that Robin's abilities as a composer, producer and musician are recognised and appreciated by the prestigious Grammy Awards. Congratulations from all of us to him, his team and the choir! Hot Pstromi's "Borsht with Bread, Brothers" European TourYale Strom and Hot Pstromi are taking their brilliantly spontaneous and authentic Klezmer music to countries across Europe throughout March 2008. The group will be playing songs from their highly praised album, "Borsht with Bread, Brothers" EUCD2102.  Yale Strom (centre) with Hot Pstromi members Norbert Stachel and Peter Stan
Hot Pstromi formed in 1982 and began making music inspired by Yale Strom's research from the previous year, when he trekked for 12 months throughout the former East Bloc countries searching for unknown, unpublished (and most often, unwritten) klezmer and Yiddish tunes. The band have a distinct sound that mixes the authentic field recordings Yale had gathered with new compositions and a lot of improvisation. Strom believes that to merely preserve and recreate Klezmer and Yiddish tunes of the past does a disservice to the art form: "...when you listen to the cuts on this recording, you will hear improvisation from all the band members - the arrangements here are spontaneous, unique and pay service to the past while creating something fresh and new." The live performances will be one of a kind and not to be missed. For the full list of tour dates and locations, please click here. SHIR, the energetic Jewish music quartet perform in London, UKFormed in 1997 by Maurice Chernick, Shir are a Jewish music group who have become a major force on the UK Jewish music scene. The band's purpose is to be as true as possible to the original sound of the Klezmorim music by drawing on the original Klezmer, Traditional, Yiddish and Sephardi repertoire, while at the same time catering for more up to date tastes in these styles with popular Israeli folk and dance tunes. The group all have many years of musical experience and between them have written or played music for TV, films, musicals, and for artists including Dusty Springfield and the Jonathan Gee Trio. You can hear the spontaneous, energetic and soulful sound of Shir on the ARC Music album "Israeli Songs", EUCD1840. The concert dates and venues are:
Wednesday, February 27 - 8:30pm
Sunday, March 16 - 8:00pm (doors open at 7:30)
Wednesday, March 19 - 8:30pm Savings Made Simple, New Prices for 2008So you have done all the hard work, you've been patient and cleverly navigated your way through our website and found the exact CD you have been looking for. All that's next is just a short trip to the checkout page and then you're almost finished. Your CD will be in your hands in no time. That's right, that is, until, you catch sight of the price ... hmm ....it suddenly occurs to you, that if you spend some time looking round the web you might be able to find the same CD at a better price. So off you go and spend another 30 minutes or so at your keyboard trawling through cyber space hunting down your chosen CD hoping to save some money. Well, you will be pleased to hear that it doesn't have to be this way. Wouldn't you like to know how you can save money on your CDs and save around 30 minutes of your valuable browsing time on top? Let us explain In order to make sure we are offering you the best possible prices for our music, we do from time to time research the general music market to find out how our prices compare. We will include in our research the major online retailers as well as the traditional brick and mortar shops. We obviously want to remain competitive in our industry and maintain our position as one of the top world and folk music labels. As a customer of ours, we want you to know that when you buy from us you are getting the best possible value for money. After reviewing the situation you will be please to hear that we have restructured our prices. So, from today, when you place an order on our website or over the phone, you will straight away be making savings, on average, of around 7% on a typical order. This means that when you buy our CDs you will still get the same excellent value, the same unbeatable quality recordings - but at a very competitive price. Remember, here at ARC Music we make savings simple. So you can spend more of your time doing what you enjoy - listening to good music. Aled Jones from BBC Radio 3 interviews Ethnic Music Researcher David FanshaweHe spent more than ten years recording authentic songs and music across the islands of the Pacific Ocean, and this Sunday on BBC Radio 3, David Fanshawe will be talking to Aled Jones all about the music and his experiences. You will also be able to hear several tracks played from the rich and authentic recordings on the album Pacific Chants [EUCD1743]. His ten year recording odyssey has resulted in a monumental archive of 2000 stereo tapes, 950 boxes of coloured slides and 40 volumes of hand-written journals, preserving and documenting the traditional music and oral traditions of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. David Fanshawe's other ARC Music albums include Music from the South Pacific [EUCD1709], Music of the Nile [EUCD1793], and Music from Thailand and Laos [EUCD1425], and his recordings are featured on several of our compilations. The interview starts at 6:30pm, on BBC Radio 3 on Sunday 17th February, 90.2 - 92.4 fm. Solá Akingbolá is performing in London this weekendThis Saturday, the All African Stars show celebrates its tenth anniversary with a gala celebration of British African talent. The show will feature authentic performances from a host of African artists, including ARC Music percussionist Solá Akingbolá. Solá will be performing Yoruban music from his amazing debut album 'Routes to Roots', EUCD2114, copies of which will also be available to buy at the show. Do not miss this spectacular evening of African culture in performing arts. Seats have nearly sold out, there are less than 50 left, so go to www.stratfordeast.com now to book yours, or call 020 8534 0310. The one night only show starts at 7:30pm, Saturday 2nd February, at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East. Concert and workshop with ARC Music artist RaviOn Sunday 3rd February, Kora virtuoso Ravi is playing a concert at the Rhodes Art Complex in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire with Sardinian guitar maestro Gesuino Deiana. The two musicians are both international masters of their instruments and present an afternoon and evening of world music at its very best, starting with a workshop followed by the concert. Ravi has released and featured on numerous ARC Music albums, including 'African Kora' (EUCD2058),'The Afro-Brazilian Project' (EUCD1837), 'The Afro-Indian Project' (EUCD1663), 'Crossing Borders' (EUCD1660), 'Masters of the Harp' (EUCD1764) and 'Exotic Strings' (EUCD1823). The show will be a stunning fusion of sounds not to be missed. Concert starts at 7pm. Tickets are £10/£7 with concessions. Go to www.rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk for more information and booking. The Silk String Quartet performing across the UKThe incredibly talented Silk String Quartet (who released their debut album "Contemporary & Traditional Chinese Music", EUCD2095, in August 2007) will be touring across the UK throughout 2008. Their hauntingly beautiful music transports the listener with evocative sounds to traditional Chinese landscapes of gentle streams, misty mountains and cherry blossoms. Particularly special will be the concerts in February for the Chinese New Year, in London, Leicester and Sussex. Click here to see a full list of their tour dates and venues. Hossam Ramzy music in Stardust movieMaster Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramzy played percussion on some of the music score to the major motion picture STARDUST, which was released in the Autumn of 2007. The blockbuster film boasts an A list cast, including Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Rupert Everett, Sir Ian McKellen, Ricky Gervais and Sienna Miller to name a few. It tells the story of a young man who makes a promise to his beloved that he will retrieve for her a fallen star by leaving their town and venturing into a magical realm. The movie opened to rave reviews. The Los Angeles Times declared it as "One of the best ... movies of the year"., and USA Today said it has "magical effects and a romping sense of fun!" Check out Hossam Ramzy's wonderful collection of music here. News Archive 2008 | News Archive 2007 | News Archive 2006 |
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