Music / world music
Bristol’s month in World Music – June 2024
OK so there’s that big deal festival coming up in Somerset – but is it that great for world music compared to what you’ll find in Bristol over the next month? Probably not, so better check the WOMAD line-up instead and, meanwhile, enjoy the feast of African, Latin, Middle Eastern and other global flavours on your doorstep.
Following their scouting trip to West Africa last year the Jam Jar is having another Ghana Music Special night. This one features the great Florence Adooni (Sat 8). Florence is a superstar from the Ashanti region, famed for combining traditional Frafra culture with contemporary High-life and gospel sounds thanks to her fabulous voice and corking band. The following week Trinity is having it’s annual Afrofest celebration (Sat 15) showcasing music art and dance reflecting Afro-Caribbean culture in all kinds of ways including live music.
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Cameroonian percussionist and singer Alphonse Touna’s band Helele offer their brand of Afrobeat inflected jazz at The Bell (Wed 26) and Kenyan singer/guitarist Vonj’s 5-piece band return to Canteen (Fri 28) with his original pan-African grooves. Heading North, finally, the atmospheric combination of Justin Adams’ desert guitar styles and Moroccan Gnawa master Mohamed Errebbaa will be at Crofters Rights (Mon 3). That latter gig is a fundriser for the Bristol Refugee Festival and there will be support from the trumpet/kora duo of David Mowatt and Moussa Kouyate as well as an ‘in show’ raffle to win a pair of tickets to the WOMAD festival in July.
Under the banner of Futurismo Ancestral – a contemporary Latin arts movement taking traditional forms respectfully into the digital age – Chilean multi-instrumental composer/producer Rodrigo Gallardo comes to the Jam Jar (Fri 21) to celebrate the solstice. Better known Mexican duo Rodriguo y Gabriela will be at the Beacon (Sun 23) with their unique acoustic take on metal and rock, and La Gringa Negra celebrate Latin and Spanish traditions at Canteen (Mon 10). There’s some fine Latin nights over in the Bath Fringe Festival with the legendary Roberto Pla’s Latin Ensemble (Wed 5, Komedia) and local heroes of salsa and son K’Chevere (Thur 6, Chapel Arts).
Equally tantalising, Strange Brew hosts Cubafrobeat (Sun 9), a fusion of Havana-style Lokhi Terra with ex-Fela Kuti keyboard player and vocalist Dele Sosimi. Taking the fusion idea even further, Songlines-favoured multi-folk jazzers Solana play The Bell (Wed 12).
Fans of the ‘gypsy’ jazz style Manouche should note veteran Polish violinist Piotr Jordan Qua (Tue 11, Grain Barge), a long-respected master of the style, as well as more locally sourced duo Gitanos (Sun 9, Fringe). For deeper ‘gypsy’ roots master Flamenco guitarist Jose Almarcha’s Spanish trio will be at Trinity (Thur 13).
At the heart of Sufi Qawwali group Fanna-Fi-Allah (Sun 23, St George’s) are the powerful vocals of Abrar Hussain, son of master Qawwali musician Ustad Dildar Hussain, buoyed up by the traditional harmonium, tabla and hand-clapping of his ‘party’. North Indian vocalist Ranjana Ghatak will also be appearing at the Hall (Sun 9), both in performance and also offering an afternoon workshop exploring North Indian devotional singing styles. The Cotham Club hosts Turkish Kurdish singer Özcan Ates to join the Eastern Strings, bringing his seven-stringed baglama lute in a celebration of song and music.
Moving on across the Bosporus, Razzomo’s lively blend of Balkan and other folk traditions are at Mr Wolf’s (Sun 2) while the Bath Fringe Festival has Latvian electro-folk group Mãsa (Tues 4, The Bell). And, finally – back at the Jam Jar (Sat 15) – veteran squeeze box player Andy Cutting’s Topette!! bring their accessible French Balfolk dance experience to celebrate their 10th year with a party.
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