A major event this weekend presented by our friends at Link Music Lab brings the one and only Mohsen Namjoo back to Toronto. Saturday’s concert set in the gorgeous acoustics of St. Andrew’s Church has the singer, songwriter and provocateur teaming up with Faraualla, a remarkable quartet of Italian women, who add an an infusion of a cappella to the sound. The night showcases Mohsen’s recent album ‘On the String of a Tear’s Bow’ that traces the journey of a corpse from Mongolia to East Europe – powerful stuff no doubt. Then a second set of Mohsen’s favourites adds to the evening’s appeal. For our valued newsletter readers we are contesting a pair of tickets. In which city did this concert have its world premiere last year? Email us your answer for a chance.

Speaking of great artists from Iran, October 21st we present Shahram and Hafez Nazeri at the Sony Centre with Link Music Lab. It’s the first time in four years that the father and son perform in town. One of the most significant singers and beloved artists in Persian music, Shahram was among the first to bring the poetry of Rumi to Western audiences. Fittingly his son pioneered East-West crossover music with the Rumi Symphony Project, which will be revisited and revised for this special event. Watch “Existence: Life” for a taste.

Meanwhile this Sunday at the Small World Centre we host the Najva Ensemble performing their new eclectic album in Chahargah, Nava, Homayoun and Shoor.

Mark your calendars and get ready for a new party by the lake! We’re delighted to announce that for its 17th edition, the Small World Music Festival is moving squarely into the heat of summer from its traditional September slot. And it’s taking place at Harbourfront Centre, one of the city’s most cherished cultural destinations. And… it’s free!

It’s been a long held goal to offer up the Small World vision in a free outdoor festival format. We’ve had great experiences at Fort York and Yonge-Dundas Square over the years, and our memories of in/future at Ontario Place are still fresh. So… we now invite you to join us August 17 – 19 for a weekend immersion in the state-of-the-art in global sounds.

There’s lots to talk about but plenty of time to fill in the details, so we’ll keep it short. You can expect the usual passionate, genre-busting programming the festival is renowned for and we’re please to have a mix of old friends and new faces in the program. The nights resonating with beats from Morocco to LA, film screenings, along with workshops, food and drink in the day, and the stage rocking with Malian guitar hero Vieux Farka Touré and Cuban singer and rapper La Dame Blanche to name but two. This is La Dame Blanche‘s “Esa Noche” – much to get excited about.

Coming more immediately, some sweet concerts at the Small World Centre, starting with Bulgarian and Turkish sounds this evening. Ihtimanska is Montreal duo Ariane Morin on saxophone and accordionist Yoni Kaston, with a unique take on the traditions. Singer extraordinaire Brenna MacCrimmon and storyteller Ariel Balevi open.

Saturday it’s a party vibe to celebrate the Tich Maredza Band‘s 10th Anniversary! Tich is joined by Tichaona Gombiro on electric bass, Gordin Mapika on drum kit and vocals and Larry Lewis on lead guitar. Expect favourites from their record “The Journey,” and new work. Here’s to the next ten years!

Spring is certainly warming up and the stage of the Small World Centre is hot with activity.

This Saturday, ‘Garden of Eden’ brings some of the city’s finest Persian and Indian musicians to our room. The concert features our old friend Soley Vaseghi on vocals, Javad Bathaie on santur, tabla player Sirishkumar Manji and Siavash Kaveh on kamancheh. This intimate night of songs and improvisation is presented by Windcatcher Production and Rumi Canada.

Next Thursday it’s Bulgarian and Turkish music via Montreal and Toronto. Ihtimanska is a creative duo of Ariane Morin on saxophone and accordionist Yoni Kaston, who make unique, colourful, uplifting sounds. Their recently released 2nd album “Yüz Yüze” featured Brenna MacCrimmon as a special guest and the singer will join them on stage as well as performing an opening set with Judeo-Spanish storyteller Ariel Balevi. Watch their showcase at the 5th Vitrine des Musiques Locales Métissées two years before their record release.

The following evening, we stay in the Middle East as Rob Simms and Kianoush Khalilian present ‘Radif to Maqam’. With Persian ney, tanbur and Turkish ney, the two explore the common and contrasting grounds between the neighbouring traditions of Persian radif and Turkish maqam. Kianoush has performed in Iran, Canada and across Europe, and has won awards for his teaching. Rob Simms is a multi-instrumentalist and professor of music at York University.

Capping a busy week June 9th is a party vibe to celebrate the Tich Maredza Band‘s 10th Anniversary! Through thick and thin, the band has persevered and prospered over the past decade, operating as a laboratory for the fusion of traditional Southern African Styles with the global sounds of today. Ruben Esguerra, who has played percussion with them since the early days may join!

If you’re in the mood for Portuguese rock music, GNR return to Toronto June 15th for their first performance in 27 years as a feature presentation of the 31st Annual Portugal Week Festival.

The end of May approaches and our 16th Annual Asian Music Series is coming to a close. It’s been a great run of concerts and it ends with two exciting events.

Tomorrow at the Small World Centre, it’s a Far East culture-blending affair, anchored by intrepid erhu player Amely Zhou. The ensemble expresses cultural differences and commonality through their own musical language with Yi Wang on sheng, one of China’s oldest free reed polyphonic instruments, Lipeng Wu on dizi, Roa Lee on gayageum and Ravi Naimpally on tabla, returning to the Centre after Near East’s sold out show Saturday. Expect masterfully interpreted classics similar to this gem, performed in the 2016 Asian Music Series under Strings Across Asia, watch “Galloping War Horses.”

The evening also begins with a rare treat – Indonesian kacapi-suling music. Performed by Andrew Timar and Bill Parsons, the ephemeral sounds of the bamboo flute and zither transport to a place of meditation. Share the Facebook event page by 5pm for a chance to win a pair of tickets!

Saturday the series concludes with Tatsuya Nakatani’s Gong Orchestra presented by the Music Gallery. A unique enterprise, growing community engagement project and the only bowing gong orchestra in existence. The rich harmonies produced from multiple layers of bowed gongs are transformative, engaging and inspiring for both players and audiences. As per Nakatani’s instructions, an ensemble of fourteen local players will learn how to play his handmade gongs and perform later that day.

Looking past our series, the composers at Spectrum have created a distinctly Canadian repertoire for traditional Chinese instruments. Next Saturday Patty Chan on erhu, Di Zhang on the yangqin and Ziwen Qin on the gu zheng take up residence at the Alliance Française in “No Place Like Home.”

Our Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank, hits the dance floor tonight with a special edition of Globetrotter, presented in association with Architextures. Bollywood beats prevail as DJ Amita, the pioneering South Asian fusion DJ and founder of Besharam shares Round with Globetrotter resident DJ medicineman, accompanied by VJ SEKS. Raja Rhyhmics & synapps’ live DJ set start the party.

Then a busy weekend at the Small World Centre, starting with two nights by two rising stars known for pushing sonic boundaries: Foonyap & Holy Hum. Both are informed by their Chinese and Korean cultural heritage respectively and represent the cutting edge of Canadian music. Foon also made Ben Rayner’s picks for what to catch at Canadian Music Week in the Toronto Star: “Brittle, cathartic, classically influenced electro-strangeness from one-woman band Foon Yap. Think of her as Calgary’s answer to Björk and you’re getting there.” This is “Mourning Coup” from her acclaimed “Palimpsest.”

The following night, Gaelynn Lea, a unique concert in association with Martin Atkins and Jafri Music. Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys describes her as Karen Dalton and Joanna Newsom melded together, “set about absolutely obliterating your heart.” Since gaining notoriety on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest a mere two years ago, she has played over 200 shows. Ali Jafri opens and there’s a talk after the show.

Also this weekend, our friends at Hugh’s Room Live have Harry Manx on stage. The slide guitarist has been dubbed an ‘essential link’ between the music of East and West, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the Blues with the depth of Indian ragas. His unique sound is bewitching and we’re able to offer a pair of FREE tickets to the show. First response to jess@smallworldmusic.com who names the Indian slide guitarist that we’ve presented several times, and was Manx’s inspiration, wins!

And last but not least, Labyrinth Ontario offers a vital new addition to Toronto’s rich global music landscape every Saturday from this Saturday until June 2nd. The festival and workshop is devoted to Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian traditional music.

Spring has truly sprung and with it, a flurry of great concerts as part of Small World’s 16th Annual Asian Music Series sponsored by TD Bank.

On Saturday, our friends at Raag-Mala Toronto present a two-part evening combining sarod by Pandit Partho Sarothy, with a vocal recital by Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar. The renowned Sarothy trained under the guidance of Pt. Ravi Shankar. Sadolikar is an award-winning and admired vocalist.

Next week the series goes contemporary, starting with Globetrotter, presented in association with Architextures. Bollywood hits the dance floor with Besharam legend DJ Amita, a pioneering South Asian fusion DJ and host of Masala Mixx radio. The event also features the visual artistry of SEKS alongside resident ethnomixologist DJ medicineman.

Canadian Music Week is about to hit town and we’re pleased to partner with them and Wavelength Music for two nights of new sounds that push musical boundaries. Calgary-based Foonyap performs experimental-folk that CBC called “… as disconcerting as it is captivating,” where dark soundscapes meet powerful electronica. Holy Hum, project of multidisciplinary artist Andrew Lee, delves into ambient post-rock to create gorgeous, atmospheric music. Watch “Flower in the Snow” featuring Kathryn Calder from New Pornographers on vocals. Directed by and starring Angela Seo of Xiu Xiu.

The following night, shifting gears to American folk revival, a unique concert in association with Martin Atkins and Jafri Music. Since Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music’s 2016 Tiny Desk, she has played over 200 shows and been featured at The Kennedy Center and on BBC World News. Performing from her electric wheelchair, she loops her classically trained melodies beneath deeply personal songwriting. Experience her captivating sound and be drawn in by Ali Jafri’s eclectic, big-hearted twist. Jafri sings and plays guitar, sitar, percussion and bass, heightened by electronic effects.

An amazingly diverse choice of events coming up in our Asian Music Series, supported by TD Bank!

On Sunday it’s the Royal Conservatory of Music’s presentation of two great musicians of our era, teaming up for a sold-out concert. Crosscurrents: Zakir Hussain & Dave Holland brings the celebrated tabla virtuoso and jazz bassist together with an all-star band for an ‘Indian music meets jazz’ extravaganza.

Next weekend, sarod master Partho Sarothy and singer Shruti Sadolikar are featured in a two-part Indian classical concert presented by Raag-Mala Toronto at Glenn Gould Studio. These great players are supported by Neelesh Nadkarni on harmonium and Ramdas Palsule on tabla.

The series takes a sonic detour the following week, starting with Globetrotter’s – Bollywood Beat May 10. It will be a mashup of spicy beats courtesy of ‘Besharam’ legend DJ Amita, with visuals by SEKS, alongside resident DJ medicineman – tickets at the door.

That’s followed by two nights presented in association with Canadian Music Week and Wavelength, with Foonyap and Holy Hum at the Small World Centre May 11 and 12. Innovative soundscapes and powerful electronica are the hallmark of these two remarkable young artists.

Then a unique event at the Centre, Gaelynn Lea with Ali Jafri May 13. With an adapted playing style, holding her violin like a tiny cello and looping classically trained melodies, Gaelynn creates something truly individual. Witness “Someday We’ll Linger in The Sun,” one of her songs that won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016.

Last but not least, this Saturday Hot Docs and Small World co-present a screening on the life and music of Indigenous singer/songwriter Gurrumul. With mesmerizing concert footage and intimate home videos, director Paul Damien Williams delivers a poignant portrait of this complex artist.

Apart from appalling April weather, we’re feeling good about our 16th annual Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank. With a full slate of upcoming events inside the series and out, there are good sounds to warm us.

This evening at the Small World Centre, a special mid-week concert by Itamar Erez brings top-notch guitar composition to the stage. Itamar’s unique palette of influences brings together his classical training with jazz and flamenco. Now based in Vancouver, he comes to town just after performing at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel auditorium with Omar Faruk Tekbilek. Tonight, violinist Jessica Hana Deutsch and singer Flavia Nascimento join as special guests.

On Saturday, Autorickshaw Trio returns to the Centre. At the forefront of the world music landscape after their recent tour of India and JUNO nomination for ‘Meter,’ Suba Sankaran, Ed Hanley and Dylan Bell’s indo-fusion jazz is delightfully unique. The video below speaks volumes for the confidence and elegance of the band’s vision and continued artistic growth.

Last chance to grab a three-concert ticket bundle and save! It’s an amazing opportunity to see world-renowned tabla master Zakir Hussain with the legendary Dave Holland at Koerner Hall, along with a sarod and vocal recital presented by Raag-Mala Toronto and Near East’s album release. This offer, made possible through our partners, ends April 25 – buy yours here.

And we’re delighted to partner with the Hot Docs festival again. Their screening of ‘Gurrumul‘ tells the story of Indigenous singer/songwriter Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, one of the most important artists to come out of Australia. Blind from birth, creating music inspired by his community in the far northeast of Arnhem Land, Gurrumul shied away from the rewards and obligations that came with fame and notoriety. But with his unforgettable, soulful sound, he captivated audiences across the globe.

Last week’s kickoff to our Asian Music Series sponsored by TD Bank thumped the Small World Centre and was a great party. Now time is running out to access our Small World Explorer Ticket Packages! Gain access to the otherwise sold-out Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland concert on April 29 through our New Arrivals or Classical Departures 3 concert package and save.

Saturday’s concert has been anticipated for some time. The 4 part celebration of diversity through music and dance has been 2 years in the making, conceived as a musical response to hate crimes. Kiran Ahluwalia was on CP24 and SIRIUS XM yesterday discussing her project. Early birds can tune into Metro Morning with Matt Galloway to hear her tomorrow at 6:50AM. Better yet, see her live alongside Souad Massi, Bhai Kabal Singh Trio and Tanoura Sufi dancer Yasser Darwish at Harbourfront Centre. This is “Khafa” from her new album “7 Billion.”

As a gesture to welcome you, our subscriber, we have a pair of tickets for this special night. First reply to jess@smallworldmusic.com listing the next Asian Music Series concert after LOVEfest wins!

Meanwhile the Centre forges ahead with April programming with So Long Seven‘s release of “Kala Kalo” on vinyl and CD tomorrow night. Experience their top-notch playing that traverses several genres including Indian music, chamber jazz and folk roots.

Next Wednesday it’s Vancouver-based master guitarist Itamar Erez. A singular voice on the nylon-stringed guitar, he blends Middle Eastern music with the freedom of jazz and the passion of flamenco to create a sound all his own. He’s joined by Jessica Hana Deutsch on violin and singer Flavia Nascimento.

Returning to Asian Music Series programming next Saturday, Autorickshaw Trio graces the stage. Always an aural delight, the band recently returned from a 5-week tour of India to news of their JUNO nomination. Their latest album, ‘Meter,’ has been wining acclaim with the sultry vocals of Suba Sankaran, the driving basslines of Dylan Bell and intricate tabla grooves by Ed Hanley.

Here we are in chilly April, two days from the launch of our 16th annual Asian Music Series, sponsored by TD Bank! We’re proud to showcase a diverse lineup of new artists and returning favourites in settings that range from deep classical tradition to uncharted sonic waters.

It gets underway Friday at the Small World Centre, with a night of rhythmic electronica, deep grooves and stunning visuals. KloX features the modulated tabla of Gurpreet Chana and Mason Bach’s electronically processed violin. Expansive soundscapes and uniquely engineered rhythms make for an immersive dance floor experience, heightened by VJ Aaron Dawson. Globetrotter DJ medicineman spins his signature cross-cultural beats set to the lush visual tapestries of artist and VJ SEKS.

Next week, the remarkable LOVEfest tour hits Toronto April 14. Kiran Ahluwalia’s project to foster intercultural understanding resonates closely with Small World’s mission. With sacred and secular performances from Sikh and Muslim traditions, the four-act program features music and dance from India, Algeria and Egypt, including Souad Massi, one of the Arab world’s most prominent voices. Watch her live performance at The Marquee, at Cairo Festival City and hear the power of her voice.

Tickets for this event can be accessed at a special price through Small World’s New Arrivals bundle until April 6th. In addition to LOVEfest, it includes the otherwise sold-out Zakir Hussain & Dave Holland concert April 29th at Koerner Hall, the opening night party, and Tatsuya Nakantani Gong Orchestra.

In other events, this weekend KUNÉ – Canada’s Global Orchestra performs a special concert, launching their debut recording at Koerner Hall. That evening also has David Buchbinder and Hilario Durán with their band, Odessa/Havana.