via Shorefire

American Patchwork Quartet (APQ) are on a mission to reclaim the immigrant soul of roots music. Bringing unique perspectives from throughout the country’s cross-cultural landscape, APQ comes from two-time GRAMMY winner Clay Ross (Best Regional Roots Album; 2020 and 2022), GRAMMY-winning vocalist Falu (the first female singer-songwriter from India to win the award), go-to jazz bassist Yasushi Nakamura (Cecile McLorin Salvant, Joe Lovano, Kurt Elling) and drummer Clarence Penn (whose played on two GRAMMY-winning records, won a Juno Award and was mentored by Ellis Marsalis). Together they celebrate America’s musical traditions, while taking a fresh look at what it means to be “traditionally American” in the first place. On the group’s upcoming self-titled debut album (out February 9), they reinterpret folk songs synonymous with the American experience by incorporating their own American voices – which, in many cases, are voices that wouldn’t have been incorporated when these centuries-old songs were first popularized.

Today, they have shared the first look at American Patchwork Quartet via their version of “Beneath The Willow” – featuring singing from Falu, an eleventh-generation classical Hindustani vocalist who immigrated to the US as a young person. Listening to Falu’s traditional Indian vocal work enrich a Southern folk classic – known for versions by The Carter Family, Woody Guthrie and Doc Watson – truly brings the project’s mission to the forefront.

Read the Full Article on Shorefire

American Patchwork Quartet on TKA

via PBS

GRAMMY-nominated and National Heritage Fellowship honoree Cedric Burnside‘s episode of The Caverns Sessions started airing on PBS stations. The full episode will be available from October 25th, 2023, to November 22nd, 2023 on the PBS website and PBS app.

Cedric Burnside is a 3rd-generation Blues Man: son of Blues drummer Calvin Jackson and raised in the Mississippi home of his blues singer/guitarist grandfather, R. L. Burnside. Proudly carrying the mantle of Mississippi Hill Country Blues around the world, Burnside’s songs deliver bruised but unfettered truth.

Watch Full Episode on PBS

Cedric Burnside on TKA

via Forbes Africa

At the age of 88, South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim’s music is as vital, creative and important as ever. The Germany-based composer, looking forward to the release of his latest album next year, shares more in this exclusive interview with FORBES AFRICA.

A gentle breeze plays with fresh soft green leaves in the early morning hush, clear notes float in the air as the maestro moves his fingers over the keys, conjuring moods and emotions. No matter the time of day, Abdullah Ibrahim has the power to transport me from the mundane world to one of music and dreams.

He lives in a little village south of Munich in Germany these days, his base between performances on concert stages which for the next few months will be in Finland, Germany, various cities in the United States, Canada, and France.

“This is what we do best as musicians, to be on the road and take our music to the people because it is virtually impossible for everybody to come to where we are,” he says on a Zoom call, looking at his partner Marina Umari, who is a medical doctor. “So this is part of our synergy in life. We travel, we take concerts globally. Of course Marina is really the anchor. She does all the behind-the-scenes work and presentation until the time that I get on stage.”

Read the full article at Forbes Africa

Abdullah Ibrahim on TKA