Aside from a few key cabinet positions, we know little about Barack Obama's incoming administration, but that hasn't quashed a growing sense of optimism among leaders in the world-music community. They're hopeful that Obama's diplomacy will promote and maybe even advocate for their cause by making it easier for foreign-born musicians to enter and perform in the United States. Case in point: In 2006 Obama helped Kenyan members of the band Extra Golden get their visas to play a US tour.

"Now that Obama has been elected, there is an overall feeling of hope, like everyone can breathe again," says Jamie Propp, manager of the Haitian roots artists Manze Dayila & the Nago Nation. "With the Bush administration, it felt like we were overpowered by an opposing force most of the time."

Dmitri Vietze, owner of the global-music publicity firm Rock Paper Scissors, says many promoters and bookers who bring musicians to the United States are feeling heartened by Obama's victory. "Here's somebody who speaks our language and understands the importance of cross-cultural exchange," he says.

Of course, the president-elect will have plenty on his plate when he takes office, and everyone admits it's too early to know what, if any, impact he'll have on world music.

"Any optimism I had been feeling from musicians and agents has been tempered dramatically by the economic turndown in the past couple of months," says Shanta Thake, director of Joe's Pub and codirector of globalFEST. "But I think having an administration that actually has their thoughts on the arts as part of their campaign platform is a huge step in the right direction."

JAMES REED