Monday, May 13
It’s the birthday of Stevie Wonder and Global Village celebrates with a show devoted entirely to his music - from his first album, The Jazz Soul of Stevie Wonder, through classic albums like Songs in the Key of Life, to world music covers of his songs and collaborations with such artists as Third World, Bill Ware & Vibes, the Catella Trinidad All Stars, Kavita Shah, Stanley Turrentine, and more.
Tuesday, May 14
Global Village throws another Afrobeat party including music from legendary Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen (for the May Drum Month feature) as part of Fela’s band, under his own name with Fela’s Africa 70 band, and in a project with Fela as his producer. We’ll also hear from two American Afrobeat bands – The Funk Ark and Antibalas – and the Afrobeat/Gnawa fusion of Fangnawa Experience.
Wednesday, May 15
Global Village pays tribute to Congolese guitarist and bandleader Mose Se Sengo “FanFan” who passed away last week, with music he did with legendary soukous star Franco and with his own bands. Plus some early solo releases from Brian Eno for his birthday, music from Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum for the May Drum Month feature, and new music from Japan’s Minyo Crusaders and twin sisters Las Hermanas Caronni.
Thursday, May 16
It’s ‘tabla time’ in the Global Village as the show highlights tabla players in a number of different settings. We’ll hear Sameer Gupta; Trilok Gurtu; Badal Roy (the tabla player who worked with Miles Davis); world fusion group the Taal Tantra Experience with Tanmoy Bose (who worked with Ravi Shankar); Shakti with Zakir Hussain (who will be one the featured artists later this month on Global Village at the Savannah Music Festival); and Australian tabla player Sam Evans.
Friday, May 17
Global Village celebrates the birthday of singer, songwriter, and guitarist Taj Mahal. Though best known for his classic blues and roots music, Taj has long been a pioneer in exploring the connections between blues and Caribbean, African, and Hawaiian music and has also worked with a number of world artists including kora player Toumani Diabate, Malian guitar great Ali Farka Toure, and on the Red Hot + Riot tribute to Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti.