Category: Jazz, Funk, Soul

Music from the US – Otis Redding // rhythm & blues

Otis Redding (1941-1967) was one of the most popular soul and rhythm & blues musicians in the world. After Redding died in 1967 in cause of a plane accident, his single Sittin’ on the Dock of a Bay” became a #1 hit in America. He wrote the song a few days before…

Music from Armenia – Authentic Light Orchestra

Authentic Light Orchestra was founded 2009 by multi instrumentalist Valeri Tolstov with an idea to combine world , Jazz Pop and amenian Folkmusic and classical music .

Here is their song ” Hov Arek”

Music from Malawi/ UK – The Very Best // Fusion

DJ and producer Johan Hugo and Esau Mwamwaya, a singer from Malawi are the collaboration The Very Best. Their music is really an awesome fusion mix of traditional african music, jazz, dance, pop and hip-hop. Listen to their great song “Hear Me”:

Found this on jayjaymgee’s blog

Music from Armenia – Narek Petrosyan

“Penguins Fly” is a modern Jazz-Fusion instrumental compostion written and produced by the Armenian Narek Petrosyan. Really a nice jazz-fusion track!

Music from Kenya – Naomi Wachira

Naomi Wachira was born and raised in a musical family in a small town called Kijabe, which is located on the Kenyan Great Rift Valley. At age 5 she joined her parents’ choir, which spurred her love affair with music as a way to not only understand the world, but also express her introverted self. (Facebook info )

There’s no doubt that there’s a better future in store for Naomi, especially after her great breakout year in 2013. Named the Best Folk Singer in Seattle by alt publication Seattle Weeklyand featured on their cover, Naomi became the toast of the town ( Bio on her Homepage )……… The result isNaomi Wachira’s debut full-length, a portrait of a Kenyan artist at home in the Pacific Northwestern United States.

Here is her song ” African Girl ” (according to the lyrics she must be around 45 years old :-) )

 

Music from Kenya – Wambura Mitaru

Wambura Mitaru’s eclectic and fluid music blends funk, soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, and sounds from her African background. A young, passionate singer and songwriter from Nairobi, her career began in high school with training in classical music. She attended the Kenya Conservatoire of Music for further studies until 2011. Wambura Mitaru creates a hybrid sound of groovy tunes with catchy lyrics, and wants the audience to sing along from all parts of the world of music.(berkley.edu)

Since 2008, Berklee’s Africa Scholars Programme has held auditions in Nairobi, Accra and Durban to offer talented musicians from across the continent the chance to be awarded scholarships to attend the college.

Wambura Mitaru was one of two African candidates awarded a full scholarship in 2010 for four years of study after what the interview panel described as her “natural talent and musical instincts.”

Here is her song ” Mala Mala ”

 

Music from Germany – Quadro Nuevo

Quadro Nuevo , an instrumental quartet , founded 1996 in Salzburg/Austria , a group from germany , the european answer of argentinian tango.

They won several prizes, gave already over 3000 concerts all over the world . They play in concert halls , pubs and on festivals , but they often practise their music also as street muscians.

Here is their song “Nature Boy”

 

Music from Canada – The Souljazz Orchestra

The Souljazz Orchestra is a Canadian musical group based in Ottawa that has toured Canada, the United States and Europe. Their music is a fusion of soul, jazz, funk, afrobeat and Latin styles.

Here is their song “Insurrection”

Music from Portugal – Kilindu

Kilindu is a portugese Latin, Latin Jazz , World Music, Fado , Afro Cuban band of six musicians. Pedro Duarte, João Pedreira, Quim Preto, Pantera Pitra, Ivan Pedreira, Tiago Simão conceived a musical bridge across continents from Europe (Portugal), to America (Brazil) and to Africa (Angola).  Now they’ve come together to create their own music, resulting in a very active online fan base working hard to spread the music. It’s their support allowing them to play gigs such as Optimus Alive 2013, where they supported the big bands like of Kings of Leon. Whether it’s Portuguese ‘Fado’ music, Cape Verde’s traditional ‘Morna’, Brazilian ‘Samba’ or Cuba’s ‘Habanera’, it is a blend of Latin jazz and Indie World Music traditions that serves their debut single well and makes them unique. Have a listen to their great single “O Que o Futuro Nos Traz”.