Sorry to start off on a negative note, but unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel the March 29th date for Tal National at the Drake Hotel. In a story that’s become all too familiar these days, the group were unable to secure visas in time to make their tour happen. Such is the nature of trying to expose music from places like Niger – we find ourselves at the mercy of increasing challenges to mobility – ironic in this age of interconnectedness. Alas, maybe next time.More positively, we have Asian Music Series announcements – as we get closer to (dare we say it?) ‘spring’, there are more great events to talk about. Coming up in April, DroneDoctor returns to the Small World Centre on the 12th. The group have been doing a regular series of ‘musical meditations’ that fuse influences of the East and West that have won praise from a diverse and enthusiastic audience. You can enjoy the therapy with FREE tickets. The first two responses to ali@smallworldmusic.com get to visit the Doctor!Also at the Centre on the 25th, it’s a special event – Voices of Asia  – an Asian-Canadian celebration of women’s songs and stories. This ‘cross-cultural incubator’  brings together four of the city’s most engaging female music creators come together to develop and present new works that represent and celebrate the talent of Asian women in Toronto. Featuring the copious talents of Suba Sankaran, Bandana Singh, Vandana Vishwas, and Amely Zhou, we’re really excited to see what transpires.

Meanwhile Burq Off! continues its run at the Centre until Sunday. Most evenings are sold out, but there are some seats available for the Saturday and Sunday matinee performances. Speaking of tickets, it’s a month until the return of the great Zimbabwean singer Oliver Mtukudzi at Koerner Hall. If you haven’t bought yours for this great show yet, now’s the time!

Lastly, our friends at Massey Hall are back at the Winter Garden Theatre next Thursday (what a magical venue, as reminded at last week’s Camane concert) with Harry Manx.  His unique East-West hybrid guitar style was inspired by the great Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, whom we’ve had the pleasure of hosting twice.  Should be a good one!

                                         
Executive Director

We’re pleased to announce added Burq Off! shows due to popular demand. The play which starts next Thursday the 19th, received good exposure on CBC’s ‘Q’ this week and is developing the kind of buzz we’d anticipated.Saturday and Sunday matinees are now on sale!We have two pairs of FREE tickets for fado fans! Camané’s Friday concert at the Winter Garden Theatre promises to be a memorable affair – one of the premier male voices in Portuguese music, he has won fans throughout Europe with his nuanced interpretation and formidable vocal presence. You can attend gratis, if you’re among the first to reply to ali@smallworldmusic.comMore news for the upcoming Asian Music Series. Last week we told you about the launch with Mongolian band Ajinai. Further on in April, two, yes TWO events that merge Indian and Japanese sounds. On Saturday the 11th, a pair of the city’s long-standing world music drumming groups collaborate. Nagata Shachu bring their taiko drums to Harbourfront Centre where they’ll meet the Toronto Tabla Ensemble for their first mutual concert in two decades. The following week, we’re excited to host the Toronto debut of  YO – Spirit of Asia. Three master musicians on tabla, shakuhachi and shamisen who have dazzled audiences around the world will perform at the Small World Centre. Check out the video below!

Speaking of drumming and things Japanese, it doesn’t get much bigger (or louder!) than the Kodo Drummers. This legendary group will create unleash the kind of primal spectacle they’ve been known for for decades tomorrow at the Sony Centre.

On Saturday, two innovative events for consideration. At the Music Gallery, it’s the Lanka Suite + Khôra, in which one of Toronto’s most exciting up and coming composers, Tova Kardonne, presents her most ambitious work to date.  She draws on Balkan-jazz fusion, classical, African, South Indian, Brazilian, and Klezmer music in a look at post-war Sri Lanka. A bit later at Revival, Link Music hosts an evening of Iranian world musicians collaborating with electronica producer Michael Red. It features our old friend Saied Shanbehzadeh and his group along with Mahmood Schricker and more.

YO – Spirit of Asia

                                         
Executive Director

One of the great voices of Portuguese music, Camané performs  for us next Friday. Interestingly, although considered one of the finest practitioners of fado in recent decades, he has generated some consternation amongst purists, who feel that what he’s doing isn’t conservative or ‘pure’ fado. Modernists, on the other hand, think he’s extraordinarily innovative. Both are unanimous in that he is a great singer. And, really, with a voice like his, he could, as the old cliche goes, sing the phonebook and transfix a crowd. (Rest assured though, the phonebook won’t be on the set list at the WInter Garden).It’s one month until the launch of the 13th Annual Asian Music Series and we’re delighted to welcome back our major sponsor TD Bank, whose support over the past number of years has proven invaluable. It’s an exciting two-month lineup crossing into a variety of genres and cultures, represented by some the finest international and local performers. It all begins April 2nd with Ajinai, a remarkable band from Mongolia. Brining ancient traditions into the 21st Century, they effectively combine instruments and techniques familiar to fans of Huun Huur Tu with guitars and electronics to create something really special. We have one pair of FREE tickets for this superb show. The first response to ali@smallworldmusic.com that correctly names the city where the band was formed wins! Check out the video below to get a taste of their music!Speaking of amazing voices and Tuvan friends, there’s a rare and unique event this weekend at the Aga Khan Museum featuring a member of Huun Huur Tu along with one of Canada’s most exciting musicians. The vocal fireworks will fly, as two master throat singers explore the similarities between their traditions. Radik Tyulyush, who performed at the Small World Centre recently, shares the evening with Inuit throat singer and Polaris prizewinner Tanya Tagaq who will present her live accompaniment for a screening of the controversial 1922 silent film Nanook of the North.Finally, next Tuesday a panel discussion called ‘the Power of Music for Peace’ takes place at the Centre for Social Innovation. Participants representing the Ashkenaz Festival the Music Gallery and Small World and the evening features a performance by multicultural / multi faith group Diwan Saz.

Ajinai- “Grass”

                                         
Executive Director

Black history month comes to a fitting conclusion with a tremendous pairing of artists who certainly share some history. Two of South Africa’s favourites – Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela – will pay homage at Koerner Hall in ’20 Years of Freedom’, marking twenty years since the official end of Apartheid.March promises some great events – we have a rising star of Portuguese music, Camané at the Winter Garden Theatre on the 13th. Coincidentally another up and coming band from that country are touring close by next month – Dead Combo are a duo whose cool sound and demeanour bring to mind Ennio Morricone and smoky late night bars. You can hear them team up with Camané’s tremendous vocals here.That same week, on the 12th, the always amazing Kodo Drummers pay a visit to town with their ‘One Earth Tour: Mystery’. Should be a spectacular show at the Sony Centre.  Small World Music fans SAVE 15% on tickets by using code MYSTERY online at sonycentre.ca, or by calling 1-855-872-SONY(7669).

As mentioned last time, the theatrical run of Burq Off! takes place at the Small World Centre in mid-month and at the end of March, we can announce an addition to the Tal National performance at the Drake – DJ Kush Nubia will round out the night with his unique mix of Afro, soul, hip hop and more.

Dead Combo with Camané

                                         
Executive Director