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August | September

All events carry a $10 (very strongly) suggested donation, unless otherwise noted.

Tue 08/31

THE FOUR BAGS. The four bags is a New York City-based ensemble comprised of trombone, accordion, guitar and clarinet/saxophone. Their music combines the vibrancy of modern jazz and popular music with the rigor and sophistication of a classical chamber music group. Besides their unusual instrumentation, much of the group's individuality results from its adventurous repertoire, which includes arrangements of music as diverse as Arnold Schoenberg, Alec Wilder, and Gustav Mahler. They have appeared on WNYC's Soundcheck and spinning on air, at Celebrate Brooklyn and Symphony Space and have toured Japan. With Mike McGinnis: sax/clarinet Brian Drye: trombone Jacob Garchik: accordion Sean Moran: guitar.

Tue 08/31

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

STOCHASTIC BROOKLYN Every Wednesday curated byBethany Ryker. $10 per set

7:00pm

Wed 09/01

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.

Thu 09/02

SAL MANERI, FAMILY & FRIENDS Featuring Mat Maneri, Ed Schuller & Andrew Green.
Hailed by the New York Times as “a disarming baritone” vocalist Sal Maneri has been performing professionally for over twenty years. A dedicated musician and educator, Maneri has played and recorded with Sir Roland Hanna, Richard Wyans, Paul West, Leroy Williams, Ed Locke and John Medeski..

RAYA BRASS BAND Raya Brass Band gleefully mashes up the music of Eastern Europe with funky American dance grooves. Featuring odd meters, unusual scales and a fine helping of gorgeous Balkan and Romany (Gypsy) melodies played on reeds, trumpet, accordion, tuba and drums, Raya Brass Band slakes the thirst for something old and new at the same time, unusual and catchy, spiritedly played by some of NYC's finest Balkan folk musicians. Greg Squared (clarinet), Ben Syversen (trumpet), Matthew Fass (accordion), Don Godwin (tuba) and EJ Fry (tupan).

10:00pm

Fri 09/03

ORAN ETKIN. Oran Ektin has been described as a "great clarinet player" and "excellent improviser" by the New York Times jazz critic Ben Ratliff and a "woodwind maestro" by PRI's internationally syndicated show, Afropop Worldwide. He has performed around the world with musicians ranging from guitarist Mike Stern to rapper Wyclef Jean, as well as Brooklyn-based groups such as Mandingo Ambassadors and Baby Soda. Oran's latest album, Kelenia, features his working group with Malian Griot musicians as well as Lionel Loueke, John Benitez and a string quartet. All Music Guide declared that it "sets a new standard for world music in the decade of the 2000s"

Fri 09/03

RUPA & THE APRIL FISHES. Rupa blends an alternative pop attitude with international spices, mixing in elements of Gypsy swing, Colombian cumbia, French chanson and Indian ragas. Time Out calls their sound global agit-pop". $10

SNEHASISH MOZUMDER, is among those few established musicians in India who has mastered the art of playing Mandolin, and has blended it perfectly into the style of Hindustani Indian Classical Music. He will be performing his trademark doubleneck mandolin along with Nick Gianni - Flute/Soprano/Bari Saxophone. Vin Scialla - Drums. Bopa King Carre - percussion. Jason Hogue - Upright Bass. Jason Lindner - keys, Sameer Gupta - tabla. Rick Bottari - keys.

8:00pm

Sat 09/04

BILL CARNEY'S JUG ADDICTS. Sans-Culottes founder and frontman Bill Carney has been leading various jug bands for over 23 years. His latest incarnation, the Brooklyn-based Jug Addicts, has earned a reputation for exciting live shows. Often a large formation, the Jug Addicts are characterized by their powerful, raucous approach to its jug band, old time, tin pan alley, early jazz and blues repertoire.

Sun 09/05

GINA LEISHMAN sings the Gina Leishman songbook. Whether performing her own material or other people's, Gina has a way to make it her own. She is not only a wonderful composer and performer, she is also a rare singer capable of conveying the deepest emotion with utter precision, while never giving in to sentimentality. With Gina Leishman, Doug Wieselman, Charlie Burnham and Greg Cohen.

STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephane Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards,

9:00pm

Mon 09/06

CHICHA LIBRE. Psychedelic Cumbias from the Amazon and Brooklyn. Back every Monday!
Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970's Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows - percussion; Joshua Camp - Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan - Cuatro & Vocals - Nicholas Cudahy - bass; Vincent Douglas - Guitar - Neil Ochoa - percussion.

JENNY SCHEINMAN. Violinist/composer Jenny Scheinman works with a variety of performers including Norah Jones, Bill Frisell, Madeleine Peyroux and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. When she is not touring the world, she can be found here most Tuesdays with an almost infinite variety of lineup. After an abscence of two months, Jenny is back with Mary Halvorson & Ches Smith.

7:00pm

Tue 09/07

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

STOCHASTIC BROOKLYN Every Wednesday curated by WFMU's Bethany Ryker. $10 per set
SLEEPTHIEF. Rare performance featuring UK-based pianist, Liam Noble “The open soundworld made a fascinating contrast…characterised by remarkable tonal variation and great empathy with Noble's gritty piano textures, the music came into sharp focus when joined by Rainey's atmospheric drumming.” - The Times Ingrid Laubrock - sax, Liam Noble – piano and Tom Rainey drums.

8:00pm

Wed 09/08

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.

Thu 09/09

STRING WIZARDS
An Evening of Rare Films and Live Performance.
Celebrating the Great String Instrumentalists of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s
THE WIZARD OF THE STRINGS is a half-hour film portrait of Roy Smeck (1900-1994), a star of 1920s vaudeville and master of the guitar, banjo, Hawaiian steel guitar, and ukulele. Combining contemporary concert appearances, archival footage, and interviews with Roy and some of his show biz contemporaries, including singing cowboy Gene Autry,
crooner Arthur Tracy (The Street Singer), and Hawaiian uke virtuoso King Bennie Nawahi. THE WIZARD OF THE STRINGS captures the unique life and times of an under-appreciated musical pioneer. The film, which received an Academy Award nomination in 1986, will be introduced by its writer/producer, Alan Edelstein.
Followed by A SELECTION OF VINTAGE FILM CLIPS
Local film/video archivist Russell Scholl has dug deep into the vault to compile a selection of hot musical clips for your enjoyment. You'll dig the vintage jazz, pop and blues sights and sounds (Soundies, short musical subjects and more) -- as you witness all manner of string virtuosi performing mind-boggling feats of daring and wonder on the frets! (30 minutes)

Thu 09/09

BRAIN CLOUD. "My brain is cloudy, my soul is upside-down... When I get that low-down feeling, I know the blues must be someplace around." (Bob Wills) The Brain Cloud's brand of western swing features original arrangements and authentic transcriptions that borrow heavily from the 1946-1947 Tiffany radio recordings from western swing king Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys. These recordings captured the Texas Playboys at their most edgy, raw, and unrestrained. The Brain Cloud includes Dennis Lichtman (mandolin/fiddle), Tamar Korn, of the Cangelosi Cards (vocals), Michael Gomez (guitar), Raphael McGregor (lap steel guitar), Andrew Hall (bass), and Kevin Dorn (drums)

Fri 09/10

MAENDROS led by oud player/vocalist Mavrothi Kontanis, recreates the traditional songs of Greece and Asia Minor from the 1920s-1940s. Their repertoire draws from Antonios Dhiamantidis, Roza Eskenazi and Rita Abadzi, along with some original music composed by Kontanis and arranged by the ensemble. Kontanis is joined by clarinetist Lefteris Bournias, violinist Megan Gould and percussionist Timothy Quigley.

Fri 09/10

ROB CURTO'S FORRO DANCE PARTY. The band plays Northeastern Brazil’s traditional “forró pé de serra” performed with a style born out of New York City’s diverse and dynamic musical culture.

Sat 09/11

THE SOUNDS OF TARAAB. Music of Zanzibar. A little over 100 years ago, the Sultan of Zanzibar sent his court musicians abroad to study. They returned and 'Taraab' was born. A spicy blend of East African Rhythms, Arabic modalities, and Indian influences,'Taraab' is sung in Kiswahili and is popular in the coastal cities of Tanzania and Kenya. "The Sounds of Taraab" features vocalist Alsarah accompanied by oud master Haig Manookian, Ismail Butera on accordion and vocals, Michael Hess on violin and nai flute, and a duo percussion team of Tiye Giraud and Nicole Lecorgne

Sat 09/11

LAS RUBIAS DEL NORTE. Their sound is a re-invention, a nostalgic throwback to a time and place mostly imagined where Peruvian waltzes, Andean huaynos and Cuban Guajiras mix with French opera, Cowboy tunes and Bollywood classics. The result plays like a dreamy soundtrack with classical harmonies set to a Latin beat. Their new album, Ziguala is an attempt to imagine what a pop record would sound like had the global Latin influence which was so prevalent until the early 60's had continued its course without interruption. The tracks on the album are re-interpretations of songs from Spain, France, Peru, India, Mexico, Greece, Venezuela, Colombia and Naples. Ziguala is not so much a latin record as it is a pop record that uses a latin vocabulary. Think of it as the opposite of Rock en Español, itself a Latin genre which uses a rock vocabulary

BARBES CLASSICAL. Barbès resumes its collaboration with the Concert Artist Guild to present some of the best new talent in the classical music world. This month:
PHYLLIS CHEN celebrates the release of her second mini-album, Mesmers, featuring all original works for toy piano, bowls, music boxes and electronics. Praised by the New York Times for her “delightful quirkiness matched with interpretive sensitivity,” Phyllis is a pianist, toy pianist and multimedia artist who performs original multimedia compositions and works by contemporary composers.

7:00pm

STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephane Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards,

9:00pm

Mon 09/13

CHICHA LIBRE. Psychedelic Cumbias from the Amazon and Brooklyn. Back every Monday!
Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970's Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows - percussion; Joshua Camp - Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan - Cuatro & Vocals - Nicholas Cudahy - bass; Vincent Douglas - Guitar - Neil Ochoa - percussion.

Tue 09/14

THE UNIVERSAL THUMP. A new art-song ensemble led by Australian-raised Greta Gertler (piano, voice, arrangements, production) and Adam Gold (drums, guitar,voice, percussion, arrangements, recording, production). Greta and Adam have spent much of the past two years in a basement studio near the Gowanus Canal, layering an astonishing array of sounds on their eponymous, orchestral art song album. It features performances from over fifty local musicians, including Barbes regulars Roy Nathanson (saxophone), Rachelle Garniez (accordion), Matt Munisteri (guitar), John Ellis (bass clarinet), Serena Jost (vocals), Oren Bloedow (electric guitar), Byron Isaacs (double bass), J. Walter Hawkes (trombone), Pete Galub (guitar) and more.

Tue 09/14

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

STOCHASTIC BROOKLYN Every Wednesday curated by WFMU's Bethany Ryker. $10 per set
ExPosed BLUES DUO. BARE CD RELEASE. The ExPosed Blues Duo is a music-rolling, audience-hollerin’, earth-shaking collaboration between vocalist Fay Victor and guitarist Anders Nillson.

8:00pm

Wed 09/15

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.

BIKE LANE. Leah Paul's new project takes an acoustic departure from her band The Bridesmaids, with a quartet inspired by bike riding in Brooklyn and 20th century music. Her band features Chris Speed (clarinet,) Jessica Pavone (viola,) Katie Young (bassoon,) and Leah Paul on flutes.

8:00pm

MAMIE MINCH. The Roulette Sister sounds like she stepped out of an old 78 recording, but plays mostly her own compositions which remained steeped in the music of Bessie Smith, Sarah Martin, Memphis Minnie and other greats

10:00pm

COOPER-MOORE DUO & WILLIAM PARKER. Cooper-Moore and William Parker are fixtures of the NYC free jazz / creative music scene who have collaborated in many groups over the past few decades, notably Parker’s In Order to Survive quartet and Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra. Most recently, both men appear on the debut recording of the William Parker Organ Quartet, “Uncle Joe’s Spirit House,” to be released in October. Duo gigs are quite rare and special events, with the most recent such performance having taken place way back in 2005 Their collaborations are characterized by spontaneous fire, spirit, and dashes of humor.
Though primarily known in the jazz world as a pianist, Cooper-Moore has also developed a unique vocabulary on instruments of his own design, construction, and occasionally invention. Somewhat similarly, William Parker is renowned as a bassist, but he also frequently incorporates double-reed, percussion, and string instruments from around the world into his improvisations. Presented by 50 Miles of Elbow Room. $10

7:30pm

THE MOONLIGHTERS. Gorgeous vocal harmonies interwoven with guitar and ukulele, the Moonlighters are as comfortable with classic Hawaiian melodies as they are innovative with their original songwriting. With Bliss Blood - vocals and ukulele ; Cindy Ball - vocals and guitar,Rus Wimbish - bass; and Raphael McGregor - steel guitar.

10:00pm

8:00pm

SAMBATOWN! Authentic Samba and Pagode from Rio with all the flavor and ginga (swing) necessary to keep your feet moving. It's the sounds of Rio in New York; a shortcut to Lapa (a traditionally musical Rio neighbohhood). It's the party within. Not to be missed if you want to exorcize the gloomy vibes of winter. With Ronaldo China - Cavaquinho/Vocals; Ze Mauricio - Percussion/Vocals; Humberto - Percussion/Vocals and Sapel - Percussion

10:00pm

NEW MUSIC SUNDAYS: A New Music Series curated by Richard Guérin and Giancarlo Vulcano.
Every third sunday of the month, the series will present a composer-portrait focusing on new pieces or under-performed pieces in the composer’s bdy of work. This month:
ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ & SUSIE IBARRA DUO. The duo performs a series of delicate etudes in hypnotic compositions for Philippine gongs, cajon and laptop. Born in East Havana, Cuba, percussionist and composer Roberto Rodriguez has worked with Rufus Wainwright, Joe Jackson , John Zorn , Marc Ribot , Celia Cruz , Israel “CACHAO” Lopez and Maurice El Medioni. ‘Ibarra is one of the all too few artists who combine prodigious talent with cultural awareness to create art and make the world a better place in the process" Elliott Simon, All About Jazz

7:00pm

STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephane Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards,

9:00pm

Mon 09/20

THE BEN HOLMES TRIO. The Ben Holmes Trio (featuring Holmes on trumpet, Vinnie Sperrazza on drums and Matt Pavolka on bass) plays original music influenced by Mr. Holmes' experiences with Jazz, improvised and Eastern European music. Peter Margasak of Downbeat magazine has written that ".. the trio emphasizes melody, and Holmes, whether employing a plush, ballad style or a hurtling, rhythmically elaborate fluidity, maintains impressive composure and a full-bodied tone ... this is jazz through and through."

Mon 09/20

CHICHA LIBRE. Psychedelic Cumbias from the Amazon and Brooklyn. Back every Monday!
Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970's Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows - percussion; Joshua Camp - Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan - Cuatro & Vocals - Nicholas Cudahy - bass; Vincent Douglas - Guitar - Neil Ochoa - percussion.

KLEZMER JUICE - East Coast Crew. Bandleader and clarinet player Gustavo Bulgach was born and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A part of the large and active Jewish community there, he learned Klezmer music from his family at a young age. Inspired by the religious and secular life of the Argentine community, Bulgach, who now lives in Los Angeles , has traveled around the globe, finding that Klezmer music is the “soundtrack of the Diaspora. With Gustavo Bulgach - Clarinet and saxophone; David Ashkenaz - Drums and Javier Santiago - Piano.

7:00pm

Tue 09/21

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

STOCHASTIC BROOKLYN Every Wednesday curated by WFMU's Bethany Ryker. $10 per set
CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN’S SAD COMPANION. DEBUT CD RELEASE
Christopher Hoffman – cello, bass & compositions with Christina Courtin – violin/voice, Ryan Scott - guitar, Frank LoCrasto – Rhodes and Bill Campbell – drums.

8:00pm

Wed 09/22

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.

LJOVA AND KONTRABAND. Eastern-European and Gypsy melodies, Latin rhythms, Jazz-inspired improvisations, and deeply rooted Classical forms are given new meanings in original compositions with a nostalgic gaze towards the past. Founded by maverick film composer, arranger, and violist Lev 'LJOVA' Zhurbin --- hailed by Billboard magazine as "one of New York's fastest rising composers and instrumentalists" -- the ensemble also features his close collaborators on vocals, accordion, bass and percussion. Inspired by his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Osvaldo Golijov, the Kronos Quartet, the rapper Jay-Z and others, Ljova's compositions dazzle with intricate textures, odd rhythms and lilting melodies, creating music that is both fresh and timeless.

10:00pm

GILMAR GOMES. Percussion player, singer and all around multi-instrumentalist Gilmar Gomes grew up in Bahia but is now based in New York. He has toured extensively with Angelique Kidjo , Harry Belafonte, Meshell N'degeocello, Richard Bona, Bebel Gilberto , Forro In The Dark, Carlinhos Brown and Gilberto Gil. Tonight, he leads his own band, backed by some of his friends including Martin - percussion and flute, Gil Oliveira - drums and percussion and Itaiguara Brandão - Bass.

8:00pm

HOWARD FISHMAN. draws from folk and jazz sources such as Django Reinhardt, Charley Patton and Ralph Stanley and filters them through the gritty sensibility of a latter day Lou Reed.

10:00pm

Russell Scholl presents a special screening.
NOW LET US PRAISE FAMOUS WOMEN. Local film/video archivist Russell Scholl returns with a program of musical performances from the past. Tonight the spotlight is on women, and will include vintage Country, Jazz, Pop, Blues and Gospel performances by great American women of the 20th century. Included will be rare musical short subjects, Soundies, television and film appearances. Live music by Laura Cantrell follows.

8:00pm

LAURA CANTRELL. The WFMU DJ and country singer has been called "the most vital new country voice in decades" by The Independent. She has just released her first album in three years, "Trains and Boats and Planes", a digital download with songs about travel and the heartache of separation and loss. Laura's fans include the late BBC DJ John Peel, who described her album "Not the Tremblin’ Kind" as "my favorite record of the last ten years and possibly my life," and Elvis Costello who claimed that "If Kitty Wells made Rubber Soul, it would sound like Laura Cantrell".

10:00pm

THE TWENTY-FIVE CENT OPERA OF SAN FRANCISCO
theater slash performance slash entertainment brought to you once monthly by the playwriting firm of shulman delaney gassman kosmas and copp. Featuring new works for the tiny stage.

STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephane Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards,

9:00pm

Mon 09/27

CHICHA LIBRE. Psychedelic Cumbias from the Amazon and Brooklyn. Back every Monday!
Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970's Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows - percussion; Joshua Camp - Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan - Cuatro & Vocals - Nicholas Cudahy - bass; Vincent Douglas - Guitar - Neil Ochoa - percussion.

JENNY SCHEINMAN. Violinist/composer Jenny Scheinman works with a variety of performers including Norah Jones, Bill Frisell, Madeleine Peyroux and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. When she is not touring the world, she can be found here most Tuesdays with an almost infinite variety of lineup.

7:00pm

Tue 09/28

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

Wed 09/29

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.

MARTA TOPFEROVA. Marta Topferova is a multi-lingual singer/songwriter that has been heavily influenced by Latin American folk music. Her songs are rooted in rhythms such as the Cuban son, Venezuelan vals and the Argentinean cueca, and her Latin quartet is comprised of Venezuelan cuatro, tres, accordion, bass and percussion and some of the tastiest players in New York. The BBC has called her "a leading light of the nueva canción movement of today" and her five releases demonstrate that she is not only a gifted singer, but a prolific composer. Marta has toured around Europe, the US, Thailand and Argentina, and periodically loves to bring her various projects to Barbés. Marta Topferova - vocals, maracas, cuatro, guitar; Aaron Halva - tres & accordion; Pedro Giraudo - bass & vocals; Neil Ochoa - percussion.

8:00pm

MARY HALVORSON QUINTET. Record release concert for the quintet's debut album, Saturn Sings, on Firehouse 12 Records. The success of her acclaimed 2008 debut, Dragon’s Head (Firehouse 12 Records), led critics to call Ms. Halvorson “probably the most original jazz guitarist to emerge this decade” (Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader). With Jon Irabagon- saxophone; Kirk Knuffke- cornet; Mary Halvorson- guitar; John Hebert- bass and Ches Smith- drums. $10

10:00pm

STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephane Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards,

9:00pm

Mon 10/04

CHICHA LIBRE. Psychedelic Cumbias from the Amazon and Brooklyn. Back every Monday!
Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970's Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows - percussion; Joshua Camp - Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan - Cuatro & Vocals - Nicholas Cudahy - bass; Vincent Douglas - Guitar - Neil Ochoa - percussion.

JENNY SCHEINMAN. Violinist/composer Jenny Scheinman works with a variety of performers including Norah Jones, Bill Frisell, Madeleine Peyroux and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. When she is not touring the world, she can be found here most Tuesdays with an almost infinite variety of lineup.

7:00pm

Tue 10/05

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

Wed 10/06

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.

STEPHANE WREMBEL presents THE DJANGO EXPERIMENT: French virtuoso Guitarist Stephane Wrembel seems to have channeled both the technique and the fire of Django Reinhardt. He studied for years with the manouche (the French Gypsies) but has also gotten deep into American vernacular musical styles. His weekly sets will mix up the traditional Django repertoire along gypsy swing re-interpretations of standards,

9:00pm

Mon 10/11

CHICHA LIBRE. Psychedelic Cumbias from the Amazon and Brooklyn. Back every Monday!
Chicha Libre plays a mixture of latin rhythms, surf music and psychedelic pop inspired by 1970's Peruvian music from the Amazon. The Brooklyn-based band mixes up covers of forgotten Chicha classics with French-tinged originals, re-interpretation of 70’s pop classics as well as cumbia versions of pieces by Satie and Ravel. With Greg Burrows - percussion; Joshua Camp - Hohner Electravox; Olivier Conan - Cuatro & Vocals - Nicholas Cudahy - bass; Vincent Douglas - Guitar - Neil Ochoa - percussion.

JENNY SCHEINMAN. Violinist/composer Jenny Scheinman works with a variety of performers including Norah Jones, Bill Frisell, Madeleine Peyroux and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. When she is not touring the world, she can be found here most Tuesdays with an almost infinite variety of lineup.

7:00pm

Tue 10/12

SLAVIC SOUL PARTY. Fiery Gypsy brass, soulful Balkan anthems, and hip-grinding American funk: Slavic Soul Party! is just what it says. Brash and strong as slivovitz, these nine musicians have forged a virtuosic new brass band music in the heart of New York City; their half-decade bacchanal is a destination for locals as well as brass and Balkan fans from around the globe. SSP!'s last four cds (Taketron, Teknochek Collision, Remixed, and Bigger) are all available from Barbès Records. John Carlson & Kenny Warren (trumpet), Peter Hess (sax/clarinet), Peter Stan (accordion), Tim Vaughn & Matt Musselman (trombone), Ron Caswell (tuba), Matt Moran and Chris Stromquist (snare/bubanj/Darabouka). $10.

Wed 10/13

THE MANDINGO AMBASSADORS. Every Wednesday
In the 1960's and 1970's, the government of Guinea engaged in a campaign known as Authenticité. It was a drive to create a new musical movement that would be specifically Guinean, but would include the modern wonders that were the electric guitar, the electric bass and the drumset. Musicians were given instruments and orchestras were formed. Surprisingly, the results proved mesmerizing and a myriad new bands were born. Many of them would go on to have a profound and lasting impact on African music. Mamady Kouyate was one of those pioneers. He played in various bands - his own band, Les Ambassadeurs du Mandingue, being one of them - but is probably best known as the guitarist in the the classic Bembeya Jazz National. Kouyate, who now lives in NY, has reformed the Mandingo Ambassadors, updating the sound of his youth, but keeping it very close to the standard of Authenticité. The new All-Star band includ es Ismael Kouyate - vocals; Mamady Kourouma - guitar; Oran Etkin - tenor sax & clarinets; Sylvain Leroux - flute, tambin and alto sax; Andy Algire - drums; Nick Cudahy - bass and Mamady Kouyate - guitar. “dazzling vocal and guitar patterns over a rhythm section that is like a perfect system” Ben Ratliff, NY Times.