What’s new e l l y C h r i s t i n e

Born in the… UK The first ever UK Americana Awards will take place on February 3 in London. Celebrating Americana music both in the UK and internationally, the nominees in seven categories include Kacey Musgraves (above left) Jason Isbell, Gretchen Peters (above right) and The Staves. + ONLINE www.theamauk.org A global affair GlobalFEST, the most important American gateway for international emerging and established artists, returns to New York City on January 17. Astrid Hadad (pictured), The Dhol Foundation and the Stelios Petrakis Quartet are among the acts converging on Webster Hall. + ONLINE www.globalfest.org

Salar Nader and Homayun Sakhi e b a s t i a n S c h u t y s e r

Classical synthesis London’s Wigmore Hall will play host to three unique collaborations, supported by the Aga Khan Music Initiative. The Other Classical Musics begins on March 10, with a concert featuring rubab player Homayun Sakhi and Rahul Sharma. Read more about the series in the next issue. + ONLINE www.wigmore-hall.org.uk

NEW RELEASES A selection of forthcoming albums we’re excited about.

The Gloaming (pictured below) Title forthcoming The I rish-American five-piece are recording their second album this month at Real W orld S tudios. I t’ll be released on February 26 to coincide with their UK and I rish dates.

Värttinä Viena The Finnish trio’s new album, a tribute to their Viena Kar elian musical roots, is out now. Read more about them in the next issue.

Yorkston/Thorne/Khan Everything Sacred S cottish singer-songwriter James Yorkston, Jon Thorne (double bass) and award-winning sarangi player and singer S uhail Yusuf K han join forces. Released January 15.

Latin Grammy win for Guerra The Dominican music star Juan Luis Guerra took home the Album of the Year award for Todo Tiene Su Hora at the 16th annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on November 19. You can read more about the Latin music maestro’s illustrious career in our Beginner’s Guide at the link below. + ONLINE www.bit.ly/juanguerra

R i c h G i l l i g a n

H a s a n

A m i n

10 songlines › issue 114

Royal Albert Hall and Songlines present an evening of Arabic music

Born in Alexandria in 1975, Tarek Abdallah has established himself as one of the forerunners of the current crop of young, vastly talented oud players. Originally self-taught, Abdallah honed his exceptional skill with a number of great masters including Hazem Shaheen and Abdo Dagher. Recording and performing alongside the percussive talents of riqq (tambourine) musician Adel Shams El-Din, the duo have established a fluid, natural relationship exemplified masterfully on Wasla – one of our Best Albums of 2015 (p20).

On February 15, the Royal Albert Hall’s intimate Elgar Room will stage a very special performance from Abdallah and El-Din, presented in association with Songlines. There will also be music from Syrian-London-based qanun player Maya Youssef, who returns to the Royal Albert Hall following her performance at the BBC Proms in 2014.

Abdallah and El-Din will also play at the Ahbab Festival in Cambridge on February 12. + ONLINE www.bit.ly/tarek-abdallah www.songlines.co.uk www.songlines.co.uk