Wapa Sakitanou

The Music of Martinique (ARC Music 1790, 2003)

Looking for something a little different? Say, Caribbean? ARC Music’s The Music of Martinique features Wapa Sakitanou, a lively musical group that encompasses the traditional music, costumes and dance of Martinique.

Rich and weighty with African rhythms, The Music of Martinique showcases the call and response of vocals and percussion found in traditional Martinique music. Wapa Sakitanou percussionists make the tambour bèlè (barrel drum) and the ti-bwa (bamboo percussion) the backbone of the song upon which the singers build.

26th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Vancouver BC, Canada--July 18 - 20, 2003. After WOMAD USA was officially canceled, I made a decision to attend the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at Jericho Beach. This wasn't going to be the usual festival attendance, but a leap of faith for me. After all, I have been unemployed for a year and I had to scramble for a place to stay as well as, ride shares.

As you can imagine I was detained at the Canadian Immigrations Office, but finally allowed to enter Canadian soil. I left an atmosphere of fear and paranoia behind to enter one of harmony, joy and fabulous music set in a park with a panoramic view of trees, mountains and a stretch of English Bay. My memories of the festival linger in my daily thoughts and nightly dreams. I conjure images of the perfect blend of music and nature, of the painted Australian aboriginal musicians, of the solo folk artists, Quebecois foot tapping, the body melting sun and the friendly festival attendees.

Wajdi Cherif

Phrygian Istikhbar (2003)

Tunisian pianist and composer Wajdi Cherif released recently a new CD of acoustic Tunisian jazz recorded in Paris in autumn of 2002. The début CD, Phrygian Istikhbar, presents compositions by the pianist that reveals a refined taste in mixing jazz with ethnic sounds from Tunisia. "Voyage", the opening tilte, begins with a very soulful introduction played piano solo on Arabic modes and scales, soon followed by the other musicians that support the melodies and improvisations of percussion player Habib Samandi at the end of this composition.

Washington, DC, USA - Smithsonian Folkways Recordings released this week Capoeira Angola 2: Brincado Na Roda, an album of traditional Brazilian songs played and chanted as the integral musical accompaniment to the centuries-old martial art and ritual dance known as capoeira. The songs are performed by the Grupo Capoeira Angola Pelourinho (GCAP), a group headed by director Mestre Moraes that is dedicated to preserving the non-martial, spiritual elements of capoeira, as well as its African heritage.

Boulder, Colorado, USA - Silver Wave Records will be releasing next week an album of Oneida Iroquois Hymns by twin sisters, Maisie Shenandoah and Liz Robert, who are both members of the Oneida band. The album, titled Sisters, also features renowned Native American singer Joanne Shenadoah.

The recording, which has a strong environmental message, includes popular hymns in the Iroquois language, blending Native American and Christian cultures.

by Susan Budig

I’ve found something better to do than sleep-in on a Sunday morning. Instead of indulging in sweet slumber, on July 20th , I take in the sweet sounds of Dan Rumsey (http://www.folkrocks.com/danrumsey.html).

Under an overcast sky, I zip over to the Black Bear Crossing café near Como Lake in St. Paul to hear the offerings of guitarist. Dan Rumsey and his musical cohorts, Sally Heinz on flute and Andy Anda on fiddle and mandolin. These three music makers know how to celebrate the world with their talents. Their music is infused with their spirits and it shows as they share themselves with the audience.

Simon Shaheen is hosting the Seventh Annual Arabic Music Retreat at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA USA. August 9-16, 2003. The Retreat gathers master-level instructors to teach intensive theory and performance classes for a week, capped by a recital by participants and instructors. More information see: http://www.simon-shaheen.com/

Shaheen is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers, and composers of his generation. His work incorporates and reflects a legacy of Arabic music, while it forges ahead to new frontiers, embracing many different styles in the process. This unique contribution to the world of arts was recognized in 1994 when Shaheen was honored with the prestigious National Heritage Award.

Madagascar - Sylvestre Randafison, a key figure in the development of Madagascar's most famous instrument, the valiha, passed away July 12.

Born Randafison Benjamin Sylvestre, Sylvestre Randafison was a major influence on numerous younger musicians including Justin Vali, Rajery, Ratovo, and Doné Andriambaliha.

Senegal - Kaouding Cissoko, a master kora player and member of Baaba Maal’s band, passed away on July 17th. Cissoko was a diabetic and had to watch his diet. Recently he had sought healers (marabouts) to find out why he was so ill. Eventually, Baaba Maal forced him to go to the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute tuberculosis. He was treated, but it was too late.