A Beginner's Guide
Bassekou Kouyaté: A Beginner's Guide
Simultaneously innovating and upholding the traditions of the ngoni, Bassekou Kouyaté is a name synonymous with his instrument’s modern sound. Nigel Williamson rounds up his sparkling career
Simultaneously innovating and upholding the traditions of the ngoni, Bassekou Kouyaté is a name synonymous with his instrument’s modern sound. Nigel Williamson rounds up his sparkling career
Madagascar’s leading player of the bamboo tube zither, otherwise known as the valiha, has come a long way from coping with an early disability to touring international concert halls. Daniel Brown retells Rajery’s journey
One of Iran’s leading female singers has become world famous with her myriad collaborations. Laudan Nooshin pinpoints some of her career highlights to date
The Irish supergroup have long been the benchmark for traditional music. Michael Quinn examines their impressive catalogue and achievements to date
Nearly 50 years a¤er his death, Víctor Jara’s songs continue to inspire idealism across Latin America. Chris Moss recalls Chile’s pre-eminent protest singer
Pleasure, pain and poetry – the ‘Queen of Fado’ gave Portugal its soundtrack during a turbulent 20th century. Chris Moss looks back over Amália’s career
The polymath German instrumentalist has an impressive back catalogue. Simon Broughton examines his wealth of recordings to date
Once the wunderkind of the English folk scene, Jim Moray’s sound has matured and coalesced over his career. Tim Cumming dives into his catalogue
Oliver Craske profiles the man who adapted a folk instrument – the santoor – into a vehicle for Indian classical music
Jo Setters examines the career of the visionary French multi-instrumentalist who has been experimenting for over 30 years
Mary Farquharson marvels at the career of the much-loved former Buena Vista Social Club musician who is still highly influential today
Rob Adams examines the extensive career of the acclaimed French double bassist, who has been influential in taking the instrument to its sonic limits
Tim Woodall examines the career of the remarkable Finnish string group
The Mancunian Irish flute and whistles player’s output is as prolific as it is varied. Dave McNally considers the career of this unstoppable musician
The Irish button accordionist from County Clare is known for her genre-crossing collaborations, taking traditional Irish music to places it’s never been before. Michael Quinn looks back over her impressive career
Punch Brothers have been pushing the boundaries of bluegrass for over a decade and show no signs of stopping. Alexandra Petropoulos tells their story
Nathaniel Handy looks back at the humble beginnings of the Devonshire folk duo who are now at the forefront of the British folk scene
A leading light in the Scottish Gaelic music scene, the singer is also a tireless collaborator, as Nathaniel Handy finds out as he looks back over her career
If there was one sound emblematic of Armenia it would be the duduk. Simon Broughton appraises the career of the instrument’s most famous exponent who has just turned 90
The kora has become almost synonymous with the music of Mali. Nigel Williamson examines the career of its chief exponent Toumani Diabaté
The perfect introduction to Fela Kuti – a true original: ‘Never have life, politics, art and music been so inextricably linked together in one incendiary, insurrectionary and highly danceable package’
Garth Cartwright marvels at the long-lasting appeal of the Senegalese band
Nigel Williamson looks back at the enduring global popularity of the Irish musical ambassadors
Jameela Siddiqi introduces Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the Pakistani Pavarotti, populariser of the qawwali tradition
Tim Cumming delves into the history and mystical appeal of the Moroccan musicians from Jajouka
Nigel Williamson takes a look at the rise to global fame and fortune of West Africa’s golden couple
The perfect introduction to the trailblazing Balkan brass band
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