This weekend at the Small World Centre, we’re pleased to welcome Anton Apostolov and his Green Sky Project for an evening of Balkan-jazz played by some of the city’s finest. The event is sold out, so watch for forthcoming concert videos to get a taste for next time.

Having just returned from WOMEX in Budapest, it seems fitting that one of the greatest musical exports from Hungary is appearing in town tomorrow (Thursday) presented by our friends at Ashkanaz. For over 40 years, Muzsikás have been the leading emissaries of Hungarian folk. They pioneered a roots revival that grew into a wide movement celebrating the nation’s rich musical culture. I was lucky enough to see them in an intimate performance as they received the WOMEX Award in 2008. Truly a special band!

Next week, speaking of great artists, it’s the return of Youssou N’Dour at Koerner Hall. Not sure if tickets are left at this point but if there are, they’re worth grabbing!

If you can’t get seats for that, the same evening at the Centre, you can experience some superb Mexican guitar playing at the Small World Centre, as Eloy Zúñiga Guinea performs. Blurring the distinctions between classical guitar, Mexican folk, introspective songwriting, and jazz, next Friday, will mark his first solo guitar concert outside of Mexico.

Mariza and Massey Hall are such a perfect fit. The intimacy of the grand old space makes even an audience of 2500 feel like they’re sharing something deeply personal with the great singer. Of course her exquisitely inviting performance style has lots to do with that. Suffice to say, we’re delighted to be welcoming back the great fado star to town tomorrow evening. If tickets are still available for the show, you can find them here.

The following evening, Friday, Chris McKhool‘s Sultans of String take the stage at Trinity St. Paul‘s for a border-blurring exercise in virtuosic playing. Joined by sitarist Anwar Khurshid, the group opens up all kinds of intriguing possibilities. This has become an ongoing collaboration and with that many great players working together, it’s no surprise!

Next week, Anton Apostolov and his Green Sky Project play the Small World Centre – superb guitar playing and accompanying musicians make this a promising event. Coming the following week on the 13th it’s, the return of the legendary Youssou N’Dour. A world music pioneer, it will be a truly special night at Koerner Hall.

As we approach the return of one of the great singers of her generation at Massey Hall on the 29th, we’re excited to announce Mariza‘s new record. Produced by Grammy award winner Javier Limón, ‘Mundo’ is the fado star’s first new album in five years.

‘Mundo’ is an appropriate title to describe the world that the CD encompasses – a world that Mariza already had within herself – a travelogue of a journey from Cape Verde to Spain, from Argentina to Portugal. All of it is present in her astonishing vocal and emotional range. Mariza is and always will be a fado singer and will never let go of the music she grew up on. But fado can be many things – as many as the singer wants it to be. Mariza’s fado is a different, adventurous one, that expands beyond Portuguese borders in search of a new cosmopolitan identity. A new beginning, carried by a voice who always maintains her roots but has what it takes to soar higher. No doubt her first Toronto appearance in two and a half years will take us far!

It’s a busy weekend, starting with a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the most intriguing performers around as Mohsen Namjoo plays two exclusive evenings at the Small World Centre. This special fundraising concert includes a VIP reception with the artist and will be a memorable evening for his fans.

On Saturday, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque share an evening with Emeline Michel at Koerner Hall. Jane and her band wowed the audience at Fort York during our festival last month and this should be a great concert, with her new sextet Maqueque, featuring some of Cuba’s newest female musicians. Emeline is the reigning Queen of Haitian Song: a captivating performer and versatile vocalist.

The intrepid Sultans of String perform on the 30th with sitarist Anwar Khurshid. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar and the virtuosic Indian playing of Anwar. A great combination!

The fall music scene is well underway and we’re happy to share some great upcoming events.

Small World and Link Music are proud to present an exclusive event in support of Mohsen Namjoo‘s forthcoming CD later this month. This rare chance for fans to get up close and personal with one of Iran’s most provocative artists takes place at the Small World Centre on the 23rd & 24th. This is an opportunity for his following to play a part in seeing the production and release of the project come to public release in the new year.

Two concerts coming up feature top-tier names in global music. They don’t get much bigger than Mariza and Youssou N’Dour. The former returns to Massey Hall on the 29th after a two and a half year absence. Always a sublime musical experience, Mariza‘s star just keeps on rising. Speaking of returns, I don’t know when the last time Youssou N’Dour was in town, but it’s been many years. Among the most significant African artists in history, he’ll be at Koerner Hall on November 13th. Tickets for both shows are going fast.

Lots more coming up at the Small World Centre, starting this weekend, with one of Canada’s finest interpreters of contemporary music. Eve Egoyan is recognized internationally for her distinctive recital performances. The event will launch ‘Thought and Desire’, an album of world première recordings by composer Linda Catlin Smith. Then on November 7th, the venue hosts Anton Apostolov and his Green Sky Project for an evening of Bulgarian-flavoured jazz and folk anchored by his terrific guitar playing.

Lastly, Uma Nota‘s annual festival returns for a fifth year this coming weekend with live music, DJs, art, food and drink, dancing and other diversions. This year’s festival, which continues Uma Nota’s Pan Am Jam series, features a mix of visiting and local artists and acts, with a music lineup that keeps Brazil in the mix, as always, but encompasses a range of tropical styles.