Music fest blends sounds from 29 countries

September 15, 2006

BY MARY HOULIHAN AND LAURA EMERICK STAFF REPORTERS

Educating the general public about indigenous music from around the globe is the goal of World Music Festival: Chicago 2006. The weeklong event features more than 60 artists, many from our own backyard, representing 29 countries.

"The festival presents music and groups that we think people aren't really familiar with," festival coordinator Mike Orlove said. "There are no big names, no one big highlight. A successful festival means we've turned people on to many different forms of music."

Many of the acts blend ethnic music forms with western influences. Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits fuse traditional Zimbabwean music and classic American R&B, and Toubab Krewe, a year-old troupe, produces a wild blend described as Malian-influenced Afro-cowboy-ninja-surf music.

On the other hand, performers such as Mamadou Diabete, a Malian kora player, preserve the past through music, song and oratory. The seven-member Alaev Family ensemble presents the ancient rhythmic blend of traditional Turkish, Persian, Chinese, Russian and Hebrew sounds, while Purbayan Chatterjee delves into Indian classical music on the sitar.

"It's a labor of love to put together this festival," Orlove said. "My hope is that people will be inspired to discover new world music all year long."

The World Music Festival remains a bargain. Many of the events are free, including a daily series of live radio broadcasts featuring interviews and performances at the Chicago Cultural Center. Evening performances, with ticket prices ranging from $10 to $15, are scattered around town at clubs, parks and performance venues.

For more information, call (312) 742-1938 or visit www.CityofChicago.org/WorldMusic.

Here is look at the some of the musical styles and the performers who keep them alive.

GYPSY

Around the world, Romany or Gypsy music is noted for its simultaneous adaptability to local instruments and sounds while maintaining its own identity. The music integrates elements of the long road of Gypsy culture that stretches between India and Spain and beyond.

Performers:

--Kal; Album: "Kal" (2006) The hot band from Belgrade refuses to play by the rules melding disparate sounds to create a witty and imaginative Gypsy sound.

At 9 p.m. Tuesday, HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Martyr's 3855 N. Lincoln. $12. (Free show at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington).