We had another incredible year of live ‘world music’ concerts at St Ethelburga’s over the course of 2011 with 36 concerts. The variety of sounds and rhythms from all around the world never ceases to amaze both us at St Ethelburga's as well as our keen audiences.
• JANUARY to end of MARCH brought us music from Iran, Senegal, Hungary, Cape Verde, Indonesia, Egypt, Peru and Turkey.
We had Persian and Kurdish music from Peyman Heydarian & his group, the silky skills of Kadialy Kouyate from Senegal on the kora, the beautiful voice of Cape Verdean star, Carmen Souza. The delights of Javanese gamelan music from, Siska Sukra, (based at the Royal Festival Hall). Baladi – street music from Egypt with Guy Schalom & The Baladi Blues Ensemble.
Visiting the UK from Hungary was gypsy group Szascsavas and from Turkey, International revered musician, Latif Bolat.
• APRIL to mid JULY we heard music from Greece, Middle East, the Balkans, Gambia, Spain, Senegal, Israel, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Argentina, India and Uganda to St. Ethelburga’s.
April began with a double bill of Greek music with Plastikes Karekles and the 20 piece band, Basso Remvasso. Jaljala followed with Arabic rhythms from the Middle East featuring the outstanding oud player and vocalist, Abdul-Salam Kheir and led by, Merit Ariane Stephanos. Music from the Balkans and beyond with Tatcho Drom lead by virtuoso violinist Gundula Gruen, two nights of African classical music with kora master players, Tunde Jegede supported by his equally talented sister, Sona Jobarteh. Ramon Ruiz & Flamenco Fiesta brought us an exhilarating flamenco night with passion and wild dancing.
A welcome return to St Ethelburga’s for Senegalese bluesman Lay Sow and his band. Daphna Sadeh & The Voyagers with her jazz influenced take on Middle Eastern sounds. In June we were honoured to welcome Amira Medunjanin: who flew in from Sarajevo to sing at St Paul’s Cathedral for the launch of St Ethelburga’s next three years programme of events, training and so much more, she then performed a moving concert with Bojan Z two days later at St Ethelburga’s to a sell out audience. Another talented singer from the Balkans, arriving from Belgrade was Natasa Mirkovic accompanied on hurdy gurdy by Matthias Loibner giving a very intimate performance and then a third night of music from this region of Europe, this time Croatia, Klapa Motovun, an all male 8 member choir with their close and haunting harmonies.
Also coming from abroad we had the up and coming star from Argentina, Noelia Moncada, who has been gaining rave reviews in the tango clubs of Buenos Aires. Bringing it back to London, the SOAS World Music Choir, was in top form with a range of songs from all over the world, led by, choir director Judith Silver. Direct from Indian, Chhau Dancers performed a breathtaking colourful show with gymnastics, dazzling costumes and exhilarating dances. Zingaros on tour in the UK from Argentina performed a wonderful set of ‘new gypsy tango’ followed by another amazing night of dancing and drumming with Lwo Cultural Group and music, sounds and rhythms from Uganda based in London.
We had a deserved break after all that.
• SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER brought music from Colombia & Venezuela with Matices Latinos led by husband and wife duo, Luz Elena Caicedo and Wilmer Sifontes, Georgia with the Shavnabada Trio; Cuba with Asere, Congo Brazaville from Fredy Masamba and his band; UK, Finland and Armenia with Sans led by led by the inimitable Andrew Cronshaw; Bengal and Bangladesh with a celebration honouring the 150th birth date of Rabindranath Tagore, SOAS Rebetiko Band courtesy of Ed Emery, Brazil with Umpatacum led by percussionist extraordinaire, Adriano Adewale , Austria & Palestine with Melange Oriental Trio, finishing the year with London’s award-winning klezmer band, She’Koyokh.
