ABOUT OUR ARTISTS

The Magic of Asia ... Bollywood to Bhangra

The Jaipur Kawa Brass Band (Rajasthan, India)
An explosion of colour and sound on the streets or on stage, the band features 8 musicians, a fakir and the Gypsy dancer Sapera Kalbelya, all under the expert leadership of Hameed Khan Kawa. Hameed, who is best known as director of the acclaimed Musafir, hand selected the best musicians from the most renowned brass bands in Rajasthan to form the Jaipur Kawa Brass Band. Musically, Hameed chooses a wild repertoire from Indian traditional music to popular songs of Indian movies. He then adds the sophisticated structures of North Indian classical music to deliver an unexpected and rousing musical experience.

Gabhru Panjab De
This is one of the leading traditional Bhangra dance companies in the UK. Their performances feature up to 12 costumed dancers accompanied by musicians playing traditional instruments and singers. Acrobatic, energetic and colourful, Gabhru is truly a crowd stopping show. Their performances are spectacular in a street setting, as part of a procession or on a main stage as part of a larger programme. Underpinned by the full-on Dhol drumming of north India, with folk songs on top, no other dance can come anywhere near Bhangra in sheer force and tempo.

Kala Chetheyna Kathakali Company (India)
Kathakali is a 500 year old dance/drama from Kerela, S.India which features exceptionally skilled actors, musicians, spectacular costumes, dramatic make-up and amazing sets. We are delighted to be working with the Kala Chetheyna Kathakali Company who are on tour from Kerela and are available for selected one-off full company shows.

Into Africa ... Soukous ... Rumba Congolese ... Afro-Pop

Daby Touré (Mauritania)
Mauritanian born, Paris based, Daby Touré arrived at the Real World studios and rocked everyone's world. Peter Gabriel immediately took him everywhere on his 2004 European tour and he made a main stage appearance at WOMAD, Reading. His first album for Real World, 'Diam' was released in June 04 and is a superbly crafted contemporary pop record that blends the sounds of Africa, Paris and international pop in equal measure and received excellent reviews; his follow up album "Stereo Spirit", endorsed Daby’s unique Afro-Centric pop, striking a chord with mainstream and world music fans alike. Touring in March 2008 and available for one-off bookings.

The Bedouin Jerry Can Band (Egypt)
Blending Simsimiyya (an Egyptian lute which dates back to Pharonic times) with desert flutes and reed pipes, BJB perform traditional Bedouin melodies with infectious rhythms on tablas, frame drums and clay jugs augmented by junk percussion such as ammunition boxes and jerry cans scavenged from the former battlegrounds in their Sinai homelands. In the customary tradition they will be happy to grind, roast and serve fresh Arabic coffee to members of the audience, whilst their unique workshops offer an insight into a fascinating culture.

The Soothsayers
This band joins the dots between township jazz, Afro-Beat, reggae, highlife, dub and potent future ju-ju funk rhythms. "Rhythmically infectious music and striking melodies" JAZZ UK. Touring throughout 2007/8.

Multi-cultural Europe …English ... Celtic ... Balkan ... Spanish

Värttina (Finland)
One of Europe's most successful contemporary folk music groups. With their composition work for the score of the stage adaptation of J R R Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS a feature of the stunning new show, now in full swing at the Theatre Royal London, Varttina have become the most sought-after act.

Tim van Eyken
1998 winner of the BBC Young Folk Award and the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Barleycorn in the Best Traditional Track category, his sensitive performance style and adept delivery have won him admirers around the world both as a solo performer and in the bands Waterson:Carthy and Dr Faustus and as a duo with Robert Harbron.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
A concert by the UOGB is a twanging, singing, awesome, foot-stomping obituary of rock-n-roll and melodious light entertainment featuring only the "bonsai guitar" and a menagerie of voices. From Wagner to Nirvana via The Sex Pistols, the Orchestra takes you on a world tour of popular culture with only hand luggage..... The UOGB have the ability to get an audience singing with one voice and punching the air in unison whether playing before 5,000 or 500.

English Acoustic Collective
EAC brings together three of England’s finest interpreters of traditional music in Chris Wood, Robert Harbron and John Dipper. The English Acoustic Collective combine deep roots in England's vernacular music with a wealth of inspired, insightful new composition. Adding masterful technique and honest delivery produces a fresh, current and uniquely uplifting sound that is deeply rooted in the vernacular music of England. "Sheer unflustered brilliance … the EAC make the tunes sing, dance and breath. I love it!" VERITY SHARP, LATE JUNCTION BBC RADIO 3.

Iona, and also Troy Donockley and Dave Bainbridge
Prepare yourself for an evening of spiritual, atmospheric, and uplifting music that will stir the emotions, weaving complex patterns that echo the intricate knot work of the great Celtic artists and may even at times have you jigging and reeling like there's no tomorrow! As an alternative to the full band Troy and Dave offer a rare chance to catch two unique musicians who are the driving force behind the band Iona.

Jason Carter
Describes his guitar style as a fusion of Flamenco, Jazz and Classical. Jason has also worked with Nigel Kennedy, Nick Beggs, Antonio Forcione, Gordon Giltrap, Dominic Miller, Trilok Gurtu and the late Babik Reinhardt, Django Reinhardt's son. He is a mesmerising talent and a truly charismatic performer who holds his audience spellbound through his entire performance. "Fxxxing wicked" NIGEL KENNEDY

The Baghdaddies
The Baghdaddies base their unique, funky sound on Balkan gypsy dance tunes spiced up with some seriously funky dance groove, reggae, ska, calypso, jazz and punk rock. Joyous, uplifting and seriously danceable. "Riotous Balkan gypsy brass band" fRoots.

Crossing the Atlantic for the sounds of Latin America ... Son ... Salsa ... Latin Jazz

Asere (Cuba)
From the heart of Havana, Asere combine elements of traditional son with tough urban salsa and pan Caribbean strains. A huge hit whenever they are on tour in 2004, and firmly established now through their collaborations with Billy Cobham, Asere have played to ecstatic audiences in venues as diverse as The Eden Project, Glastonbury Festival and Ronnie Scott’s. “Asere's new album Destinos has the hallmarks of a crossover world music hit. THE GUARDIAN.

Totó La Momposina (Colombia)
Colombia's most famous musical ambassador, world renowned as a singer and dancer who keeps alive the traditional music of the Caribbean coast and winner of the prestigious WOMEX Award in 2006. She presents a spectacular show of music, dancing and colourful costumes backed by her 9 piece band that add stirring brass, rhythmic percussion and rippling guitars.

Cimarron (Colombia)
From the Los Llanos Orientales region of Colombia; Cimarron play fast festival dance music, Joropo, featuring rippling melodies on harp, bandola and cuatro with bass and maracas - reminiscent of Andalusian gypsy music from the influence of Spanish settlers.

North to the Caribbean ... Reggae ... Ska ... Rap ... Dub

Lion Train
Lion Train features Glen Latouche and T Carthy, founder members of E2, as well as musicians formerly with Finley Quaye and Sweet Sensation. Now rooted in Manchester's Moss Side they have rapidly become one of the UK’s most sought-after reggae bands.

Up to North America ... Tex-Mex....Blues ... Cajun ... Zydeco ... Bluegrass

Lisa Mills (USA)
From Mobile, Alabama, this Mississippi blues woman has that incredibly rare gift of the best blues/gospel singers to effortlessly change gear from a low moan to full-throated blues wail without ever losing musicality. Her stunning appearances at Bergen Blues Festival and Glastonbury alone won her new fans and friends. "You should all check her out, she has a stunning voice" ROBERT PLANT.

The Pine Leaf Boys (USA)
The new generation of Cajun musicians from Louisiana, The Pine Leaf Boys play authentic, traditional Cajun, Creole and zydeco dance-hall music, adding their own distinctive updates. The youngest band ever to sign to Arhoolie Records, their music pans rocking two-steps, stirring waltzes and raunchy Creole Blues, introducing new and young audiences to the unique sounds of the swamps and bayous of Louisiana.

Sarah Savoy and the Francadians (USA/France)
Louisiana-born and raised daughter of Marc and Ann Savoy, the most influential names in Cajun music, Sarah powerfully fronts this band of dedicated French musicians. Sarah doesn't just perform traditional Cajun and Zydeco music - her own original compositions speak with a voice until now virtually unheard in Cajun music. Sarah sings in celebration of the modern woman, strong, independent, and fun-loving, rather than only lamenting the traditional position of la femme abandonnée (”the abandoned woman”). Keeping her audiences dancing, Sarah belts out sassy blues, growls through honky-tonk-inspired Cajun songs of the 1940’s and 50’s, and wails the bitterness of some of Cajun music's most forlorn waltzes. Sarah is also a qualified Louisiana chef and can lead cooking workshops, accompanied by music guaranteed to whet the appetite.

Bayou Seco (New Mexico, USA)
New Mexican duo, Bayou Seco, celebrate the music and dance traditions of America’s southern States. A Bayou Seco performance is a lively night of toe-tapping music that spans from Louisiana to Arizona featuring Cajun and Zydeco, Norteno Tex-Mex, Chicken Scratch, New Mexican colonial dance tunes and cowboy songs. They delve into the rich stew of traditional American music that has been simmering for centuries and it certainly is spicy!

Our links with Louisiana are strong and we will be organising future tours for Cajun traditionalists Cory McCauley and the Evangeline Aces and also for Zydeco icon Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band. And there are plenty of wanabee Cajuns in the UK too; amongst those we represent are Joe le Taxi and Cajuns Denbo .

The Spikedrivers
This trio has come up with a potent formula of rocking country blues steeped in its Delta roots. Raised in Carolina, singer/song writer Ben Tyzack is a talented guitarist with the blues of the Deep South in his veins. Hot property on the UK blues scene, the Spikedrivers have also become firm favourites at folk festivals around the country including Towersey, Bridgnorth and Broadstairs.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OUR LATEST BROCHURE