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.

Time for the final show announcements in our Asian Music Series lineup. Looking well into late spring, these three events add more exciting and innovative takes on Asian music to complete a program that showcases an amazing range. Check out our teaser video below for a taste of the Series.

On May 19th, our good friend Ravi Naimpally returns to the Small World Centre with a new project – Near East. One of Canada’s preeminent tabla virtuosos, Ravi, along with wind player Ernie Tollar and oud master Demetri Petsalakis, release their debut recording. They welcome Syrian clarinetist Majd Sekkar and Turkish kanun virtuoso Tamer Pinarbasi as special guests for an evening merging Middle Eastern and Indian roots.

On May 24th, another concert of intriguing intersections, this time under the leadership of Amely Zhou. Our favourite erhu player has assembled a group that brings sounds from China, Korea, and India together to present innovative musical ideas and new soundscapes. The musical geography of that night also features the beautiful sound of Indonesian ‘kacapi/suling’ performed by the Timar – Parsons duo.

Rounding out the series, we team up with the good folks at the Music Gallery May 26th as they present something truly unique – Tatsuya Nakatani’s Gong Orchestra (NGO) – a community engagement sound art project, and the only bowing gong orchestra in existence. The event brings together local players who learn how to play Nakatani’s handmade gongs, bows and other instrumentation, before giving a public performance that evening. This concert is available through our New Arrivals Ticket Bundle.

As we continue to tantalize with Asian Music Series announcements, we have a couple of great partnered events to talk about this week. A highlight of the program, without a doubt, is the April 29th appearance at Koerner Hall by our old friend Zakir Hussain. The tabla master is among the most revered artists in Indian music, renowned as much for his sense of adventure as astounding chops. For this unique event, Zakir teams up with another legend – this one from the jazz world, as he and bassist Dave Holland present Crosscurrents, alongside a band combing top jazz and Indian music performers.

We’re delighted to be able to include tickets for this otherwise sold-out show in our Explorer packages, New Arrivals and Classic Departures, on sale now. These curated experiences group four and three concerts together and offer savings. and include the May 5th concert presented by Raag-Mala Toronto – a two-part evening featuring sarod virtuoso Partho Sarothy, a disciple of the legendary Ravi Shankar, with Ramdas Palsule on tabla, and a recital by singer Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar. Paired with seats to Kiran Ahluwalia’s LOVEfest on April 14th and other great events, these packages are your ‘ticket’ to the Series!

This weekend at the Small World Centre, we’re pleased to welcome an ambassador of Zambian music – Mathew Tembo and his Afro-Routes Band. He’s shared stages with legends like Oliver Mtukudzi, Mulatu Astatke, Michael Rose, and The Skatalites, winning praise from audiences at numerous festivals. Singing and performing on thumb pianos, Mathew is joined by Tich Maredza and Tichaona Gombiro on guitar and percussionist Gordin Mapika.

More great African hybrid music comes to the Centre with the just announced date for the Waleed Kush African Jazz Ensemble at the end of the month, March 31st. Combining the ancient rhythms of Africa with exhilarating modern jazz improvisations – from Nubia, Sudan, to Harlem – Waleed’s sound is always worth a listen.