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New York City is home to a diverse community of Colombian musicians and groups who create in a wide range of traditional, popular and experimental music styles for diasporic communities and beyond. "Colombia in NYC" takes us from independence day celebrations in a chic Manhattan club with accordion virtuoso Gregorio Uribe, to vallenato parties and street parades in Jackson Heights. We'll hear from hip cumbia groups including Combo Chimbita; traditional Afro-Colombian bullerengue group Bulla en El Barrio; salsero, folklorist and educator Pablo Mayor; innovative dance bands MAKU Soundsystem and Grupo Rebolú, and harp virtuoso Edmar Castaneda. Along the way musicians weave in stories about nationalism, identity, place and diaspora, and discuss the challenges and opportunities New York City offers for Colombian musicians. Produced by Morgan Greenstret APWW #736
For some 50 years, Leo Sarkisian was a worldwide staple on the overseas radio broadcast of Voice of America. A talented musician, raised in the Armenian community around Boston, Leo began traveling the world with his Nagra tape recorder and microphones for Tempo International, a Hollywood record label. His intrepid work in remote corners of Afghanistan and in newly independent Ghana and Guinea won him the attention of Edward R. Murrow, then at VOA. So began Leo's epic career as a documenter, archivist and popularizer of African music. He once said he had worked in every African country but one. In recognition of his passing in June, 2018, we revisit Leo's rich, fascinating conversation and music-sharing session with our own Georges Collinet. Expect lively exchanges between two radio icons, and some rare audio, including Leo's 1965 recording of Fela Kuti during his jazz years. Produced by Sean Barlow and Banning Eyre APWW #783
CheckoutThe God Centered Concept Academy Training Community to learn what growth in Christ isTUVU CommunitiesCheck out this link to view Kingdom Cross Roads on TV.https://jesussaid.tv/?affiliate=tswright_gccTo get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.What happens when life does not unfold as you expected—and you reach the end of your own strength?In this powerful episode of the Kingdom Cross Roads Podcast, TS Wright welcomes disability advocate, speaker, and author John Fela. John shares how his journey with his nonverbal son, who has profound autism, ultimately brought him to faith in Jesus Christ.Raised in a culturally Catholic home, John later explored other spiritual paths but remained disconnected from biblical Christianity. When disability-related challenges affected his marriage, finances, career, and family life, John realized that he needed more than reassuring words—he needed genuine community, practical support, and lasting hope.That search led him to a Christian men's group, where believers welcomed him, listened to his struggles, and prayed for him. On one unforgettable stormy night in 2012, John surrendered his life to Jesus.John also discusses his memoir, Faith Like My Father, and the surprising significance of two words repeatedly spoken by his earthly father: “Don't panic.” Years later, while hearing a message based on Jesus' teaching about worry in the Sermon on the Mount, John finally understood those words. That revelation helped him release years of anger and forgive his father.In this conversation, you will hear about:• Raising a child with profound autism and significant support needs• Finding Christ during the lowest season of John's life• Why Christian community must offer more than comforting words• The Church's responsibility to welcome and support people with disabilities• John's work in disability advocacy and disability ministry• Trusting God when faith does not immediately remove life's problems• Remaining obedient through divorce, single parenthood, and uncertainty• Overcoming anger before it becomes deeply rooted bitterness• Forgiving those who have wounded us• Recognizing God's providence in painful circumstances• The message behind John's memoir, Faith Like My FatherJohn's testimony reminds us that following Jesus does not mean every problem disappears. It means we no longer face our problems alone. God remains present, orders our steps, and can use even our most painful experiences for His redemptive purposes.If you are walking through a valley, caring for someone with a disability, struggling with anger, or wondering where God is in your circumstances, John's story will encourage you to keep seeking Christ and refuse to panic.Connect with John Fela and learn more about Faith Like My Father:https://johnfela.comKeywordsJohn Fela, Faith Like My Father, TS Wright, Kingdom Cross Roads Podcast, disability ministry, disability advocacy, autism ministry, profound autism, severe autism, nonverbal autism, special needs parenting, Christian parenting, fathers of children with disabilities, Christian testimony, finding faith in Jesus, faith during trials, trusting God in crisis, Christian forgiveness, overcoming anger, healing from bitterness, God's providence, Christian obedience, spiritual perseverance, Christian community, inclusive church, special needs ministry, Joni and Friends, Key Ministry, Sermon on the Mount, don't panic, hope in Jesus, faith through suffering
As the 21st century rolls on, more and more of the musical artists who are making a difference cannot be pinned down to any one national identity.Migration, intermarriage, and the hurly burly of our globalized planet are creating new and growing generations of change-makers with hyphenated identities. In this program we hear from Ayo (Nigerian/Roma/German), Meklit Hadero (Ethiopian-American), Weedie Braimah (Ghanaian-American), La Dame Blanche (Cuban-French), Pascal Danai of the band Delgres (Guadeloupean-French) and others, as we sample the rich music and hear the stories, challenges and triumphs of this fascinating new generation of global musical creators. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #772
From his Cameroonian roots, to his DJ days in Paris, his global broadcast career on VOA from the 1960s into the ‘80s, and his 38-year career hosting Afropop Worldwide, Georges Collinet is living an extraordinary life. On this program we celebrate the man, his stories, his passions, his wit and humanity. You'll experience Georges as never before, an African music legend, and a very funny guy. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #881
Want to get ahead in your career faster than your peers? In this episode of The Edge of Risk Podcast by IRMI, host Joel Appelbaum sits down with Fela Abioye, middle-market underwriting leader at The Hartford and author of How to Corporate. They discuss the skills nobody teaches you in school but every successful professional needs to master. Fela shares the lessons he wishes he had known earlier, including how to build influence, create a personal brand, develop meaningful professional relationships, and accept feedback. If you've ever wondered why some talented professionals advance while others stall, this conversation provides an honest look at the unwritten rules, relationship-building strategies, and leadership habits that can make a lasting impact on your career. Don't miss this practical road map for succeeding in today's workplace.
Why do so many African businesses collapse after their founders leave? In this episode of The Long Form Podcast, I sit down with Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder of House of Tara International and one of Africa's most influential entrepreneurs, to explore why building a successful business is only the beginning. We discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, scaling companies, founder dependency, wealth creation, Nigerian business culture, women in business, succession planning, and what it takes to build institutions that survive for generations. Tara also explains why so many founders become the biggest obstacle to their own success, what East African entrepreneurs can learn from Nigeria, and why making yourself replaceable is one of the most important leadership lessons in business. ShieldTech Hub- https://www.shieldtechub.com Akagera Medicines- https://www.akageramedicines.com BasiGo Rwanda- https://www.basi-go.com/rwanda Join our Patreon to enjoy ad-free viewing https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheLongFormPod or support us via our MTN Mobile Money Code 95462 or directly to our phone number: +250795462739Visit Sanny Ntayombya's Official Website: https://sannyntayombya.comProduced by LF Media
De Tokyo à Toulouse, l'afrobayashi côtoie un ingénieur en folklore occitan. Nos premiers invités dans cette #SessionLive arrivent de Tokyo, c'est le groupe à 9 têtes AJATE. Formé en 2011 à Tokyo, son créateur Junichiro Imaeda a été piqué par le mystique lors de l'achat d'un album de Fela. Dès lors, la musique traditionnelle japonaise Oyahashi de Junichiro a doucement glissé vers l'Afrobeat, mais en version nippone, et c'est devenu de l'Afrobayashi. Adoubé cet été, Ajate a joué en 1ère partie de Seun Kuti en juillet 2026 au Cabaret Sauvage (Paris). Titres interprétés au grand studio : - Shac Shac feat. Maïa Barouh Live RFI - Babasse (Feat. Toshihito Tsushima), single - Galar Live RFI. Line Up : Junichiro Imaeda (Piechiku, guitare bambou faite maison), Yukio Sata (Percussion bambou), Noriko Ota (Balafon bambou, Kane), Takako Uchida (Tamasudare), Kazuki Chonan (Shinabue, Kane, Hyoshigi, Kanokiri), Tomohiko Kikuchi (Basse), Keigo Yamada (Shime Daiko Drum, Oke Daiko), Yugo Akalatsu (Kane), Masaho Fukushima (Ohdo, gros tambour). Son : Mathias Taylor, Benoît Letirant. RFI Vidéos : Elisa Cot, Christophe Valette, Dominique Fiant. ► Single Babasse (180 gr). Site - YouTube - Bandcamp - Instagram. Regardez la vidéo : Notre second invité est Claude Sicre, pour la sortie de Ingénieur en folklore occitan depuis 1978. On ne peut qu'aimer Claude Sicre. Il chante avec dix siècles dans la voix, il nous fait danser comme des paysans dans un conte ou des Brésiliens dans un roman de Jorge Amado, il écrit une poésie qui sème la fête tous les autres jours que le samedi. Claude Sicre ne ressemble à aucun autre. Chanteur, théoricien, compositeur, visionnaire, activiste, folkloriste, auteur : quiconque s'est un jour demandé ce qu'est le Sud a chanté ou dansé sur les titres qu'il a enregistrés au cours de sa carrière. Après quelques flamboyantes décennies de cavalcade sur les tambourins des Fabulous Trobadors, il semble évident que le temps arrive de l'album solo. Mais Claude Sicre ne se soumet pas au temps de l'industrie. Il écrit, reprend, rêve, récrit… Lent artisanat de la forme et du fond. Il nous fait comprendre ce qu'aurait été la chanson si nous avions continué à en écrire – oui, nous tous, le peuple, qui avons écrit Frères Jacques ou La Carmagnole dans la langue de tous les jours et en jouant d'instruments sans solfège savant, avant de laisser les industriels du divertissement s'occuper de tout. Bertrand Dicale. ► Album Ingénieur en folklore occitan depuis 1978 (Bleu Citron 2026). Instagram - Facebook - Bacoshop - YouTube. Réalisation : Donatien Cahu. À lire sur RFI Musique Claude Sicre revient avec un triple album, 23 ans après les Fabulous Trobadors (24 juin 2026).
De Tokyo à Toulouse, l'afrobayashi côtoie un ingénieur en folklore occitan. Nos premiers invités dans cette #SessionLive arrivent de Tokyo, c'est le groupe à 9 têtes AJATE. Formé en 2011 à Tokyo, son créateur Junichiro Imaeda a été piqué par le mystique lors de l'achat d'un album de Fela. Dès lors, la musique traditionnelle japonaise Oyahashi de Junichiro a doucement glissé vers l'Afrobeat, mais en version nippone, et c'est devenu de l'Afrobayashi. Adoubé cet été, Ajate a joué en 1ère partie de Seun Kuti en juillet 2026 au Cabaret Sauvage (Paris). Titres interprétés au grand studio : - Shac Shac feat. Maïa Barouh Live RFI - Babasse (Feat. Toshihito Tsushima), single - Galar Live RFI. Line Up : Junichiro Imaeda (Piechiku, guitare bambou faite maison), Yukio Sata (Percussion bambou), Noriko Ota (Balafon bambou, Kane), Takako Uchida (Tamasudare), Kazuki Chonan (Shinabue, Kane, Hyoshigi, Kanokiri), Tomohiko Kikuchi (Basse), Keigo Yamada (Shime Daiko Drum, Oke Daiko), Yugo Akalatsu (Kane), Masaho Fukushima (Ohdo, gros tambour). Son : Mathias Taylor, Benoît Letirant. RFI Vidéos : Elisa Cot, Christophe Valette, Dominique Fiant. ► Single Babasse (180 gr). Site - YouTube - Bandcamp - Instagram. Regardez la vidéo : Notre second invité est Claude Sicre, pour la sortie de Ingénieur en folklore occitan depuis 1978. On ne peut qu'aimer Claude Sicre. Il chante avec dix siècles dans la voix, il nous fait danser comme des paysans dans un conte ou des Brésiliens dans un roman de Jorge Amado, il écrit une poésie qui sème la fête tous les autres jours que le samedi. Claude Sicre ne ressemble à aucun autre. Chanteur, théoricien, compositeur, visionnaire, activiste, folkloriste, auteur : quiconque s'est un jour demandé ce qu'est le Sud a chanté ou dansé sur les titres qu'il a enregistrés au cours de sa carrière. Après quelques flamboyantes décennies de cavalcade sur les tambourins des Fabulous Trobadors, il semble évident que le temps arrive de l'album solo. Mais Claude Sicre ne se soumet pas au temps de l'industrie. Il écrit, reprend, rêve, récrit… Lent artisanat de la forme et du fond. Il nous fait comprendre ce qu'aurait été la chanson si nous avions continué à en écrire – oui, nous tous, le peuple, qui avons écrit Frères Jacques ou La Carmagnole dans la langue de tous les jours et en jouant d'instruments sans solfège savant, avant de laisser les industriels du divertissement s'occuper de tout. Bertrand Dicale. ► Album Ingénieur en folklore occitan depuis 1978 (Bleu Citron 2026). Instagram - Facebook - Bacoshop - YouTube. Réalisation : Donatien Cahu. À lire sur RFI Musique Claude Sicre revient avec un triple album, 23 ans après les Fabulous Trobadors (24 juin 2026).
The enigmatic Master Elodin is chasing milkweed seeds around the classroom today, and my buddy Nick joins me in the back row to talk about him. Come on in! Interesting facts in this episode: What makes a Namer, and other Namers in the Kingkiller Chronicle; Elodin and Auri's interactions; the other students in Naming class; Haven, Alder Whin, and Elodin's escape; summer crops of interns; RJ's new interest in birding; Elodin's connection to the Fae and what his age may be; his connection with Fela; places like the Crockery in fiction; true names; contemplating pine cones…….and time loops!! THANK YOU to Nick from Page of the Wind for joining me. The best ways to support the podcast are to give it a five-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and to share episodes on social media/with people who you think might like it! Even as our wait continues, I love having new conversations and having new realizations about this series. With questions, comments, or complaints: Find me on Twitter at twitter.com/etrsop or email me, etrsop@gmail.com. With talents, jots, royals, or shims: Buy me a coffee at ko-fi.com/etrsop. As always: Thank you for listening!
J&K bring their record nerdiness to the new bFM studio on Karanghape Road. Al Jarreau's Glow turned 50 on the day of broadcast, so "Have You Seen the Child" opened the show, paired straight after with JJ Farley's "God Will Understand It". A Tribe Called Quest's Beats, Rhymes and Life hit 30 a few days prior, marked here with the tribe's first Dilla production "Get a Hold". Fela's death anniversary fell on the same day, honoured through Sub_ModU's rework of "Expensive Shit" rather than the version everyone knows, and Fat Larry got three cuts in a row for his birthday, which is as good a reason as any to play a run of Fat Larry's Band. Around those anchor points the set moves through Brazilian boogie, British soul-jazz and rare groove without losing the plot, Sandra De Sa and Bossa Nostra sitting comfortably next to Young Disciples and Drizabone. New material from Homeboy Sandman and Jack Splash's "Resonance Frequency".
n Jamaica, sound systems are more than just a stack of speakers blasting the latest tunes to an eager crowd. Over the last 70 years, they have come to represent the most common way that Jamaicans experience music. Sound systems have touched all levels of society in Jamaica, determining the island's popular taste and profoundly influencing the daily lives of its citizenry. This program explores the evolution of sound system culture, from the Jamaican genesis of the 1940s to its gradual impact on diaspora communities, and ultimately, its undeniable influence on the popular culture of nations overseas. Produced by David Katz and Saxon Baird. APWW #758
The golden age of vinyl records is long past in Africa, but the market for rare and reissued African vinyl outside the continent has been growing steadily since the early 2000s. DJs and collectors have turned an obsession with rare records and forgotten gems from Cape Town to Tangiers into an international reissue and compilation industry, led by record labels such as Soundway, Strut and Analog Africa. This program explores some of the complex and shifting dynamics of neocolonialism, cultural ownership and audience in the African vinyl market. We'll hear stories from label owners, DJs and artists, touching on controversies around Nigerian disco funk reissues, new career opportunities for sometimes-obscure African artists, the unique vinyl culture in South Africa, and much more. Produced by Morgan Greenstreet and Alejandro Van Zandt-Escobar, with Nenim Iwebuke. APWW #749
In this special episode we introduce you to a fast-paced, emotional sound built from the streets of Lagos, Nigeria. We follow DJ Khalifa, the pioneer behind the sound, from DJing on a phone in a hostel to collaborating with CKay and catching the ear of Afrobeats stars. We also hear what it means for a street sound to go global and what's at stake if it does. Is this Nigerian EDM? We'll let you decide. Produced by FayFay APWW #880
The Trombone Corner Podcast is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass and The Brass Ark. Join hosts Noah and John as they interview Raymond Mason. About Raymond: At 35, Raymond James Mason has rapidly carved out a place as a sought-after studio musician and one of the leading trombonists in the high-demand world of pop music horn section work. From Taylor Swift to Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys to Bruno Mars, Erykah Badu to Kelly Clarkson, Ray has performed alongside an eclectic roster of superstars across generations. His expansive career bridges genres, with notable collaborations including Don Henley, The Roots, Randy Newman, David Byrne, Jessie J, and many more. Ray's presence on Live TV is equally impressive. He was a key player in the 2020 Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, and performed with Eminem at the Academy Awards that same year. Other notable TV appearances include Saturday Night Live with Bruno Mars, The GRAMMY Awards with Nas, and the CMA Awards with Earth, Wind & Fire and Lady A. A seasoned touring artist, Ray has lent his trombone and multi-instrumental skills to acclaimed acts such as Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Mark Ronson, FELA! The Musical, Lukas Graham, GRiZ, Valerie June, Bright Eyes, and Broken Social Scene, among others. As a studio trombonist, Ray's horn section work is featured on global hits like "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars. His credits also include records by Mac Miller, Lizzo, The Roots, Macklemore, Norah Jones, Little Big Town, and more. He's contributed to projects on renowned labels like Daptone, Truth & Soul, and Big Crown, including Charles Bradley's "Change For The World," Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings' "Soul of a Woman," and Lee Fields & The Expressions' "It Rains Love." Ray's arranging skills have found their place with top producers including Dan Auerbach, Mark Ronson, Adam Blackstone, Diplo, El Michels Affair, and Danger Mouse. He's written for artists like Ed Sheeran, Lee Fields, Beck, Kelis, and Yola. In the world of soundtracks, Ray's work appears in major releases like the Amazon Prime Sports Theme, The Boys Season 3, The Get Down on Netflix, and upcoming projects for Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and AppleTV+. His music also resonates in ads for global brands such as Nike, Facebook, Taco Bell, and Garnier, alongside shows like Marvel's Captain America on Disney+, Suits on USA, Made For Love on HBO Max, and the theme for Barry on HBO. As a member of the Brooklyn afrobeat collective Antibalas, Ray earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2020. His work with Antibalas has taken him to festivals around the world, where he's shared the stage with artists like My Morning Jacket, Brittany Howard, The Roots, Dr. John, Angelique Kidjo, and even Bill Withers in his final Carnegie Hall performance. Ray's musical foundation was built at NYU, where he studied under some of the most respected trombonists of our time: Tom Hutchinson, Mark Patterson, Robin Eubanks, Alan Ferber, and Elliot Mason. His mentorships with SNL Bandleader Lenny Pickett, GRAMMY-winning composer Brian Lynch, and Director of NYU Jazz Dave Pietro deepened his approach to the wide-ranging musical landscape of the 21st century. A native New Yorker, Ray spent over a decade honing his craft in NYC, followed by five years in Nashville, and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife.
Donald Macleod explores the development of Nigerian art music through the lives and work of some of its most influential composers. Joined by Alexander Douglas, he traces the emergence of a musical tradition shaped by European missionary education, church music and indigenous cultural practices, beginning with Fela Sowande's pioneering synthesis of Yoruba and Western traditions. From Sowande's early years in Lagos and London to the work of later figures including Ayo Bankole, Akin Euba, Samuel Akpabot and Nkeiru Okoye, the podcast follows a continuing conversation about identity, heritage and musical innovation. Along the way, we hear how generations of composers drew on local traditions while creating new forms of concert music, and how their legacy continues to evolve today.Fela Sowande: High Life Joshua Uzoigwe: Talking Drums Fela Sowande: Go Down Moses Josiah Ransome-Kuti: Obángíjì Iwo Lo to Sìn Fela Sowande: African Suite Fela Sowande: 2 Preludes on Yoruba Sacred Folk Melodies – No. 1 K'A Mura Fela Sowande: Yoruba Lament Fela Sowande: Night and Day Fela Sowande: Sunset Fela Sowande: Obangiji Ayo Bankole: Egun Variations in G major Ayo Bankole: Variations for Little Ayo Ayo Bankole: Nigerian Suite Ayo Bankole: Three Yoruba Songs Ayo Bankole: Ya Orule Ayo Bankole: Piano Sonata No. 2 in C major “The Passion” Akin Euba: Three Yoruba Songs Without Words Akin Euba: Scenes from Traditional Life Akin Euba: Six Yoruba Folk Songs Akin Euba: Study in African Jazz 3 Akin Euba: Igba Kerin Akin Euba: Igba Kinni Akin Euba: Wakar Duru Joshua Uzoigwe: Nigerian Dance No. 1 Samuel Akpabot: Scenes from Nigeria – Pastorale Samuel Akpabot: Three Nigerian Dances Nkeiru Okoye: African Sketches Nkeiru Okoye: Breaking Bread Nkeiru Okoye: Songs of Harriet Tubman – I Am Harriet Tubman, Free WomanPresented by Donald Macleod with Alexander Douglas Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio WalesFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Fela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002y62n.And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we've featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.
Beneath the gloss of Nigeria's contemporary pop, older roots styles, mostly derived from Yoruba tradition, still thrive. In this program, we meet four top stars of fuji music, the percussion-driven, message-heavy, and occasionally profane trance music that animates weddings and parties on a daily basis in hidden corners of Lagos. Rival “kings” K1 da Ultimate and Saheed Osupa, and a rare woman of fuji, Salawa Abeni, take us inside the rough and tumble of an exciting musical subculture little known outside Nigeria. We also meet juju legend Shina Peters, meet up-and-comers on the Lagos roots scene. This program fills out our Hip Deep portrait of a vibrant African city where music holds the keys to a tumultuous collision of cultures and peoples. Produced by Banning Eyre. APWW #763
Technology is one of the great drivers of musical change, and often one of its least understood. In this episode, we explore the synthesizer, looking closely at the history of this ubiquitous (and often debated) piece of musical technology, and investigating how and why it was first used in a variety of African musics. Enabled by groundbreaking record reissues by synth pioneers like William Onyeabor (Nigeria) and Hailu Mergia (Ethiopia), disco stars like Kris Okotie, and South African superstar Brenda Fassie, we take you back to the '70s and '80s, listening to the birth of a distinctly African electronic sound. Produced by Sam Backer APWW #676
The 1970s was a decade that changed the world's popular music... No. Changed the world's culture. Whether you were boogieing to full-flower rock and funk, delving into free jazz, or discovering a hidden identity, the music was your constant companion. This was true in Africa as well. Ten years after most of the continent gained independence, new sounds were flourishing. This program samples the bounty from Ghana, Mali, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe and more. Produced by Sean Barlow and Banning Eyre in 2005 APWW #461
The leopard cult of Ekpe in Calabar, in present-day Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, has one of the most unique performance traditions in all of Africa - a complex theatrical tradition, referred to in calabar English as "play," which encompasses a cycle of sacred dramas that takes many years to execute. The music of this society is almost completely unknown outside the region, because it was not recorded until the 1980s. This program will feature Calabar-themed recordings by artists including Sexteto Habanero, Chano Pozo, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Los Munequitos de Matanzas. Dr. Ivor Miller, the only scholar who has both penetrated the Abaku society and visited the motherland in Calabar, and promoted the first-ever re-encounter between the two traditions, will play some of this powerful music and tell stories of this fascinating culture. Hip Deep by Ned Sublette (originally aired 2007) APWW #534
Most runners dream of completing one Comrades Marathon. Donovan Shirley decided to run it twice in 24 hours. Donovan Shirley joined East Coast Breakfast to talk about his extraordinary "Get Back Up" challenge, running the Comrades route from Pietermaritzburg to Durban before turning around and joining the official race back to Pietermaritzburg. Donovan shares why the 2026 Comrades theme "Ska Fela Moya" resonates so deeply with him, and how this challenge is about much more than kilometres. Through his run, Donovan is raising awareness and funds for mental health organisations SADAG and Matthew and Me, a non-profit created in memory of Matthew Grant, a teenager who lost his battle with depression. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, men's mental health, purpose, and what it means to get back up when life knocks you down. Webpage
There's a lot of fantastic music being made by Brazilian artists living in the U.S. They entertain an estimated 1.5 million Brazilian immigrants here as well as a growing number of other fans. And Brazilian music is enjoying a resurgence here - on Mazda commercials, endless bossa nova soundtracks played in upscale restaurants; inter-cultural collaborations and so on. We'll hear many of the best: Jorge Alabe, the godfather of many samba schools; Bebel Gilberto, daughter of bossa pioneer Joao Gilberto; singer Luciana Souza; the quirky percussionist Cyro Baptista; the funky, unorthodox Forro in the Dark and others. They all have fascinating stories to tell. We'll hear them in concert, visit with them in their homes, and hear songs from records produced in the U.S. New York University's widely published Professor of Music Jason Stanyek will be our co-host. APWW #555
Send us Fan MailA business can be profitable and still be fragile. We wanted to explore what makes a company truly durable, the kind that survives the founder, spreads across markets, and leaves a roadmap others can follow. That's why we invited Tara Fela Durutoye (TFD), founder of House of Tara and author of the bestselling Building Beyond You, to talk with us about what scaling actually looks like in the real world of Nigerian entrepreneurship and African startups.We get into the step-by-step evolution of her journey, from doing bridal makeup in university to building a studio, expanding into tools and products, and then doing the unglamorous work that separates ideas from institutions: distribution. Tara breaks down why “make the product” is never enough, how sales channels and a distribution strategy protect your brand, and what it took to build systems that reached everyday households. We also talk mentorship with nuance, why mentors amplify what already exists, and why teachability and action matter more than name-dropping.A huge part of our conversation centers on documentation and legacy. Tara explains why African entrepreneurship stories must be written down, how oral storytelling can coexist with written records, and why succession planning is not optional if you want to build beyond yourself. We close with practical guidance on integration at home, including how to involve your spouse and kids in a way that creates harmony instead of burnout.Subscribe, share this with a founder who needs it, and leave us a review so more builders can find the show.Support the showYou can support this show via the link below;https://www.buzzsprout.com/1718587/supporters/new
To make this unprecedented program, producer Ned Sublette traveled to Mbanza-Kongo, the ancient seat of the Kongo empire located in present-day northern Angola, where he spoke to Dr. Bárbaro Martínez Ruiz, professor of art and art history at Stanford. We'll learn about the simbi, the spirits that Martínez Ruiz describes as “the multiple power of god”; hear Antonio Madiata play the lungoyi-ngoyi, the two-stringed viola of the Kongo court; attend a session of the lumbu, the traditional tribunal of elders; and talk to Pedro Lopes, a nganga mawuko (traditional healer). With C. Daniel Dawson and Angolan composer and musicologist Victor Gama, we'll explore Kongo-Ngola culture in the diaspora – in Brasil, Haiti, Cuba, and more. A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO MBANZA-KONGO is supported by a 2012 Knight Luce Fellowship for Reporting on Global Religion. The fellowship is a program of the University of Southern California's Knight Chair in Media and Religion. Originally produced by Ned Sublette in 2012 APWW #651
The claim that real change is enabled by grassroots, community-based movements might seem a distant ideal, but Dr Geraldine Fela shows such assertions are far from hypothetical. Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis (UNSW Press, 2024) shows that grassroots movements were what made Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic better than elsewhere. HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. In the midst of this profound health crisis, nurses provided crucial care to those living with and dying from the virus. They negotiated homophobia and complex family dynamics as well as defending the rights of their patients. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and solidarity shown by HIV and AIDS nurses. Critical Care unearths the important and unexamined history of nurses and nursing unions as caregivers and political agents who helped shape Australia's response to HIV and AIDS. In addition to this NBN interview Geraldine Fela has a podcast episode on the ABC Rewind series, 'Blood Prejudice and Nursing' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
The claim that real change is enabled by grassroots, community-based movements might seem a distant ideal, but Dr Geraldine Fela shows such assertions are far from hypothetical. Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis (UNSW Press, 2024) shows that grassroots movements were what made Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic better than elsewhere. HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. In the midst of this profound health crisis, nurses provided crucial care to those living with and dying from the virus. They negotiated homophobia and complex family dynamics as well as defending the rights of their patients. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and solidarity shown by HIV and AIDS nurses. Critical Care unearths the important and unexamined history of nurses and nursing unions as caregivers and political agents who helped shape Australia's response to HIV and AIDS. In addition to this NBN interview Geraldine Fela has a podcast episode on the ABC Rewind series, 'Blood Prejudice and Nursing' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/medicine
The claim that real change is enabled by grassroots, community-based movements might seem a distant ideal, but Dr Geraldine Fela shows such assertions are far from hypothetical. Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis (UNSW Press, 2024) shows that grassroots movements were what made Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic better than elsewhere. HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. In the midst of this profound health crisis, nurses provided crucial care to those living with and dying from the virus. They negotiated homophobia and complex family dynamics as well as defending the rights of their patients. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and solidarity shown by HIV and AIDS nurses. Critical Care unearths the important and unexamined history of nurses and nursing unions as caregivers and political agents who helped shape Australia's response to HIV and AIDS. In addition to this NBN interview Geraldine Fela has a podcast episode on the ABC Rewind series, 'Blood Prejudice and Nursing' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/lgbtq-studies
The claim that real change is enabled by grassroots, community-based movements might seem a distant ideal, but Dr Geraldine Fela shows such assertions are far from hypothetical. Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis (UNSW Press, 2024) shows that grassroots movements were what made Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic better than elsewhere. HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. In the midst of this profound health crisis, nurses provided crucial care to those living with and dying from the virus. They negotiated homophobia and complex family dynamics as well as defending the rights of their patients. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and solidarity shown by HIV and AIDS nurses. Critical Care unearths the important and unexamined history of nurses and nursing unions as caregivers and political agents who helped shape Australia's response to HIV and AIDS. In addition to this NBN interview Geraldine Fela has a podcast episode on the ABC Rewind series, 'Blood Prejudice and Nursing' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The claim that real change is enabled by grassroots, community-based movements might seem a distant ideal, but Dr Geraldine Fela shows such assertions are far from hypothetical. Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis (UNSW Press, 2024) shows that grassroots movements were what made Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic better than elsewhere. HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. In the midst of this profound health crisis, nurses provided crucial care to those living with and dying from the virus. They negotiated homophobia and complex family dynamics as well as defending the rights of their patients. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and solidarity shown by HIV and AIDS nurses. Critical Care unearths the important and unexamined history of nurses and nursing unions as caregivers and political agents who helped shape Australia's response to HIV and AIDS. In addition to this NBN interview Geraldine Fela has a podcast episode on the ABC Rewind series, 'Blood Prejudice and Nursing' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics
The claim that real change is enabled by grassroots, community-based movements might seem a distant ideal, but Dr Geraldine Fela shows such assertions are far from hypothetical. Critical Care: Nurses on the Frontline of Australia's AIDS Crisis (UNSW Press, 2024) shows that grassroots movements were what made Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic better than elsewhere. HIV and AIDS devastated communities across Australia in the 1980s and 1990s. In the midst of this profound health crisis, nurses provided crucial care to those living with and dying from the virus. They negotiated homophobia and complex family dynamics as well as defending the rights of their patients. Bringing together stories from across the country, historian Geraldine Fela documents the extraordinary care, compassion and solidarity shown by HIV and AIDS nurses. Critical Care unearths the important and unexamined history of nurses and nursing unions as caregivers and political agents who helped shape Australia's response to HIV and AIDS. In addition to this NBN interview Geraldine Fela has a podcast episode on the ABC Rewind series, 'Blood Prejudice and Nursing' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/australian-and-new-zealand-studies
Fela Kuti has been the subject of at least half a dozen documentaries, a Broadway play, a shelf of books, and at least one richly lauded podcast series. It's hard to imagine a time when Fela would have been considered an obscure musician from a largely unknown continent. But that was very much the case in the seventies when bassist Melvin Gibbs heard his music blasting out of a record store on Nostrand Avenue in his native Brooklyn. The number of Americans who had even heard of Fela, already a superstar in his homeland, Nigeria, was vanishingly small. But a penny dropped. This experience launched Melvin Gibbs on a musical and cultural journey. He has spent half a century exploring the topic of his new book, “How Black Music Took Over the World." This Monday (4/27), Melvin Gibbs returns to the WKCR studios for a Deep Focus on Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, with host Mitch Goldman. Will Mitch find live, unreleased recordings of Fela in the WKCR archives? Come on! We all know the answer to that question. Tune in this Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org. Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/. It will join over 400 promo-free episodes. Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted. It's ad-free, all free, sponsor-free, totally non-commercial. We won't even ask for your contact info. Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast. Photo credit: Fela Kuti on stage - promotional photo 19 July 1986 - Source- Billboard Jul 19, 1986 p. N-3 - Distributed by Celluloid Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. #WKCR #DeepFocus #MelvinGibbs #HarrietTubman #FelaKuti #FelaAnikulapoKuti #AfroBeat #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman #HowBlackMusicTookOverTheWorld
Haiti became the first black-ruled republic in the Americas in 1804, and music has mirrored, and at times shaped, the twists and turns of Haiti's politics and culture ever since. A primary source of Haitian culture is Dahomey, the birthplace of vodou--the most commonly held world view among Haitian people today. We explore how each of Haiti's rulers has championed his own preferred music. The Duvalier dictators favored compas dance music, and suppressed the most African-identified cultural expressions. When Baby Doc was run out of the country in 1986, African-derived racine, or roots, music exploded. Elizabeth McAlister, professor of religion at Wesleyan University, and Holly Nicolas--interweave music and history to tell a dynamic, and at times heart-breaking story. Included in the mix we'll hear the sweet sound of troubadour balladeers, as well as the exuberant tones of rara bands, the call and response of a capela kombit songs of work parties, impassioned choral music of evangelical churches, and the sophisticated, improvisational rhythms used in vodou rituals. Produced by Sean Barlow APWW #540
Fela Kuti has been the subject of at least half a dozen documentaries, a Broadway play, a shelf of books, and at least one richly lauded podcast series. It's hard to imagine a time when Fela would have been considered an obscure musician from a largely unknown continent. But that was very much the case in the seventies when bassist Melvin Gibbs heard his music blasting out of a record store on Nostrand Avenue in his native Brooklyn. The number of Americans who had even heard of Fela, already a superstar in his homeland, Nigeria, was vanishingly small. But a penny dropped. This experience launched Melvin Gibbs on a musical and cultural journey. He has spent half a century exploring the topic of his new book, “How Black Music Took Over the World." This Monday (4/27), Melvin Gibbs returns to the WKCR studios for a Deep Focus on Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, with host Mitch Goldman. Will Mitch find live, unreleased recordings of Fela in the WKCR archives? Come on! We all know the answer to that question. Tune in this Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org. Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/. It will join over 400 promo-free episodes. Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted. It's ad-free, all free, sponsor-free, totally non-commercial. We won't even ask for your contact info. Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast. Photo credit: Fela Kuti on stage - promotional photo 19 July 1986 - Source- Billboard Jul 19, 1986 p. N-3 - Distributed by Celluloid Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. #WKCR #DeepFocus #MelvinGibbs #HarrietTubman #FelaKuti #FelaAnikulapoKuti #AfroBeat #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman
We explore the role music played in the creation of a uniquely Angolan consciousness as the country struggled toward independence in the 1960s and ‘70s after centuries of colonialism. Our guides will be producer Ned Sublette, on the ground in Angola, and Dr. Marissa Moorman, historian of southern Africa, and author of Intonations: A Social History of Music in Luanda, Angola from 1945 to Recent Times. We'll hear the pathbreaking group Ngola Ritmos, who dared sing songs in Kimbundu publicly when it was prohibited by the Portuguese. We'll hear immortal voices from the age when the guitar-driven style called semba ruled, as well as some snazzy ‘60s guitar instrumentals. Produced by Ned Sublette APWW #647
Jad Abumrad and FayFay Odudu, drop some valuable audio storytelling reporting and production insights on the latest episode of Sound School. Jad and FayFay recently earned a Peabody Award for "Fela Kuti: Fear No Man," the podcast about Fela, the Nigerian saxophone player and political activist. Jad and FayFay sat down with Lesedi Mogoathle in February for an online chat sponsored by Radio Workshop. It's a valuable conversation you'll want to hear.
Fela Kuti has been the subject of at least half a dozen documentaries, a Broadway play, a shelf of books, and at least one richly lauded podcast series. It's hard to imagine a time when Fela would have been considered an obscure musician from a largely unknown continent. But that was very much the case in the seventies when bassist Melvin Gibbs heard his music blasting out of a record store on Nostrand Avenue in his native Brooklyn. The number of Americans who had even heard of Fela, already a superstar in his homeland, Nigeria, was vanishingly small. But a penny dropped. This experience launched Melvin Gibbs on a musical and cultural journey. He has spent half a century exploring the topic of his new book, “How Black Music Took Over the World." This Monday (4/27), Melvin Gibbs returns to the WKCR studios for a Deep Focus on Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti, with host Mitch Goldman. Will Mitch find live, unreleased recordings of Fela in the WKCR archives? Come on! We all know the answer to that question. Tune in this Monday from 6pm to 9pm NYC time on WKCR 89.9FM, WKCR-HD or wkcr.org. Or join us when it goes up on the Deep Focus podcast on your favorite podcasting app or at https://mitchgoldman.podbean.com/. It will join over 400 promo-free episodes. Subscribe right now to get notifications when new episodes are posted. It's ad-free, all free, sponsor-free, totally non-commercial. We won't even ask for your contact info. Find out more about Deep Focus at https://mitchgoldman.com/about-deep-focus/ or join us on Instagram @deep_focus_podcast. Photo credit: Fela Kuti on stage - promotional photo 19 July 1986 - Source- Billboard Jul 19, 1986 p. N-3 - Distributed by Celluloid Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. #WKCR #DeepFocus #MelvinGibbs #HarrietTubman #FelaKuti #FelaAnikulapoKuti #AfroBeat #JazzRadio #JazzPodcast #JazzInterview #MitchGoldman
Our Hip Deep edition “A Tale of Two Rebellions,” produced in August, 2007, recounts the stories of two remarkable military campaigns in early Islamic history. Both uprisings take place in the late 9th century, both involve Africans as key players, and both set the scene for the crystallization of the Sunni-Shi'ite divide in Islam, which of course continues to this day. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #535
With Fela: Music Is the Weapon, Conor McCreery and Jibola Fagbamiye deliver more than a biography they deliver a cultural experience. Released by HarperCollins' Amistad imprint, this landmark graphic novel blends magical realism, political history, and Afro-psychedelic visuals to capture the unstoppable force that was Fela Kuti. Equal parts concert, protest, and spiritual awakening, the book stands as a reminder that music has always been a weapon and stories like this keep it loaded. Get your copy of Fela: Music is the Weapon at: https://amzn.to/3NVP1tb Follow on Social: Insta – jibolastudios Insta therealconor Thank You for Watching / Listening! We appreciate your support! Episode 656 in an unlimited series! Host: Al Mega, Follow on X | Instagram | Facebook: @TheRealAlMega / @ComicCrusaders Make sure to Like/Share/Subscribe if you haven't yet: / comiccrusadersworld Twitch: / comiccrusaders Visit the official Comic Crusaders Comic Book Shop: comiccrusaders.shop Visit the OFFICIAL Comic Crusaders Swag Shop at: comiccrusaders.us Main Site: https://www.comiccrusaders.com/​​​​ Want to create amazing live streams like ours? Then look no further than StreamYard! The BEST and EASIEST to use Streaming Solution on Earth! Check it out at: : https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6492786798886912
The tower of groove, curated jams, and the spaces in between. Grant Schroff (Polyrhythmics, Champagne Bubblebath) Polyrhythmics & Adryon de León “Got to Be for Something” Single- https://synesthesia.ffm “Polyrhythmics sound originated in Seattle's underground deep funk scene combining impossibly tight grooves with bold brass and hypnotic percussion that showcased elements of R&B, progressive jazz, and Afrobeat which defined the instrumental group's early era sound. Now on their thirteenth year as a recording project and touring ensemble, the band's sound continues to evolve following six full length albums, several EPs and live releases. The virtuosic musicianship and musical conversation built on a relentless touring schedule of the previous decade has led them to a brand of psych-funk that fills a room with an impending mood where anything could happen - sometimes evoking their brighter and cinematic Fela-influences, but also a more sinister and darker turn toward a more progressive sonic palette.” https://www.polyrhythmics.com/about Polyrhythmics: Bandcamp: https://polyrhythmics.bandcamp.com Instagram: @polyrhymics Website: https://www.polyrhythmics.com Merch: https://www.hellomerch.com Champagne Bubblebath: Bandcamp: https://champagnebubblebath.bandcamp.com Instagram: @champagne.bubblebath Website: https://linktr.ee/champagnebubblebath Records: https://www.coleminerecords.com The Vineyard: Instagram: @thevineyardpodcast Website: https://www.thevineyardpodcast.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thevineyardpodcast
Scholar and author Joseph Braude guides us through the often overlooked popular music of the Persian Gulf, the music known as Khaliji. We learn about the Africans of places like Bahrain and Kuwait - slaves of yore - their free descendents, and more recent waves of African immigrants, notably from Sudan. This episode features spectacular historic recordings, such as the songs of the all but disappeared pearl divers, a well as Khaliji hits by the likes of Abdullah al-Ruwaished and Areel Abou Bakr. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #520
Book a FREE call with MIDRIDGE : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCfAMvFXFQC11P045_0WcUi9SUh3RgOvJx3-3flpCMKA3YSg/viewformRegister for LIMITLESS WITHOUT BORDERS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/limitless-without-borders-40-london-tickets-1446561156359Get Tara's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/0dABFaXuJoin My Ai Made Simple Class: https://aisalestraining.lovable.app/Book a free discovery call: https://sales-scalemate.lovable.app/Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulfoh/Connect with me on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-foh-60a09720Read my free newsletter: Paulfoh.substack.com
Toumani Diabaté, the most celebrated kora player of his time, passed away in July, 2024, just days before his 59thbirthday. Afropop Worldwide was blessed to call Toumani a friend for over 30 years and to interview him some 15 times, often at his home in Bamako, Mali. In this episode we celebrate a life of massive virtuosity, creativity and innovation. Toumani overcame daunting obstacles and extended the global reach of this venerable West African harp as no one else has ever done. We hear the voice and music of Toumani at many points in his storied career, along with commentary from his longtime producer and friend, Lucy Durán. Produced by Banning Eyre. APWW #879
Jorge Ben Jor first began to experiment with fusions of samba, bossa nova, rhythm ‘n' blues and soul in the early 1960s. Together with Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil, he participated in the watershed cultural movement, Tropicália, in the late 1960s. In the 1970s, he further explored Afro-Brazilian history and culture in a series of popular albums that have since become key points of reference for a contemporary neo-soul movement. Jorge Ben Jor continues to be an active presence in Brazilian popular music, and he grants us a rare interview to tell his story. The program is produced by Sean Barlow and coproduced with Christopher Dunn, author of Brutality Garden: Tropicália and the Emergence of a Brazilian Counterculture (University of North Carolina Press, 2001) as part of Afropop Worldwide's Hip Deep series. Produced by Sean Barlow & Christopher Dunn APWW #430
Afropop returns to Senegal for a thrill-packed tour of Dakar nightlife and a first time visit to the rich traditional music tapestry of Casamance. We check in with Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal and Cheikh Lo, and meet stars like Cheikh Ibra Fam, Dieyla, Sahad and mbalax heartthrob Pape Diouf. In Casamance, we experience the frenzy of a female fertility ritual and the serenity of the Diebate kora family. It's a classic Afropop field adventure, with nonstop music. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #878
Musical improvisation comes in many forms. A jazz player creates within the harmonic structure of a composition. A Shona mbira player in Zimbabwe improvises interactively with another player, and the audience, in some cases, an ancestor spirit. An Arabic maqam musician works within the elaborate set of rules governing the movement of melodies within one or more particular maqamat, or modes. How are these musicians' experience the same? And how are they different? Musicians and scholars weigh in on this Hip Deep episode. Produced by Banning Eyre. APWW #485
This Hip Deep episode is Part 1 of a two-part series comparing and contrasting approaches to musical improvisation. Beginning and ending with bebop and free jazz, Part 1 takes sidetrips into Ghanaian percussion traditions, Mande string and vocal music, and solo taqsim improvisation in Arabic music. With insights from UCLA's A.J. Racy and Wesleyan University's Eric Charry, among others, we launch a provocative and revealing meditation on spontaneity in the world's music traditions. APWW #454 Produced by Banning Eyre
Umm Kulthum has been called the greatest singer in the Arabic speaking world in the 20th century. Born in 1904 the humble daughter of an Egyptian village imam, she went on to become a glamorous Cairo celebrity in her 20s, and soon after that, a cultural icon whose monthly live radio broadcasts brought much of Egypt to a standstill. She turned high poetry into popular culture. She extended musical forms with her virtuoso, extended vocal improvisations. Combining historical, religious, literary and musical passions, she inspired an enduring sense of national pride and left a legacy for the ages. Millions gathered for her 1975 funeral. With Umm Kulthum biographer Virginia Danielson as guide and guest, this program explores the life and music of a musical legend. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #465
This program presents a musical portrait of Bamako in the wake of crisis. We explore the precarious lives of griots in Bamako in the early 21st Century. The program draws on the groundbreaking documentary work of Lucy Duran, exploring how hereditary musicians apprentice and grow in various cultural contexts. In this case, we focus on the upbringing and education of children in these hereditary griot (djeli) families of historian-entertainers. Produced by Banning Eyre in 2016 APWW #731
Cheikha Rimitti was more than Algeria's musical icon - she was the embodiment of defiance itself. Born into a life of poverty and oppression, her powerful voice resonated as the rallying cry for the marginalized, fearlessly giving voice to the forbidden themes of love, sexuality, and political injustice. Rimitti's music ignited a fire for independence, challenging societal norms with each daring lyric. Though her songs faced bans and censorship, her indomitable spirit could not be silenced. A century after her birth, Rimitti's legacy burns ever brighter, inspiring a new generation of artists to remix and reinterpret her anthems of freedom. As we celebrated the 100th birthday of this trailblazing queen of raï in 2023, we honor Cheikha Rimitti - the voice that could not be oppressed, the embodiment of liberty through song. On this poignant journey through her extraordinary life, we meet the musical descendants carrying Rimitti's defiant torch forward, a century after that first cry of dissent rang out. Produced by Elodie Maillot APWW #870
Over the years, as barriers to international touring in the U.S. have risen, and more and more talented African and African diaspora artists have made their homes in American towns and cities, the sounds and voices of Africa have become more and more common on local scenes. In this edition of Afropop's "Africa in America" series, we spotlight women, Marie Daulne (of Zap Mama) collaborating with NYC Afrobeat band Antibalas, Razia of Madagascar, and the incomparable Afro-jazz innovator Somi, also Sudanese-born Alsarah and Awa Sangho of Mali. Produced by Banning Eyre APWW #705