WELCOME

Editor-in-chief Simon Broughton Publisher & Managing Director Paul Geoghegan Editor Alexandra Petropoulos Assistant Editor & Reviews Editor Olivia Cheves Art Directors Juliet Boucher & Heather Curtis Sub Editor & Online Content Writer Spencer Grady Advertisement Manager James Anderson-Hanney Online Content Editor James McCarthy News Editor Russ Slater Listings Editor Tatiana Rucinska World Cinema Editor John Atkinson Marketing Manager John Barnett Marketing Assistant Emma Coull Cover Image Rob O’Connor Contributing Editors Jane Cornwell, Mark Ellingham & Nigel Williamson Subscriptions Director Sally Boettcher Editorial Director Martin Cullingford CEO Ben Allen Chairman Mark Allen SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: 0800 137 201 Overseas: +44 (0)1722 716997 subscriptions@markallengroup.com ADVERTISING +44 (0)20 7501 6683

Part of

Evolution in action

While last issue was deliberately themed, focusing on the climate crisis, it was exciting to note that this issue seemed to naturally choose its own uni ing theme. Putting together the features this month, it became clear that the stories within all deal with concepts of evolution, about bridging the gap between tradition and adaptation. Tradition is important for understanding where we come from, but music needs to evolve just as much as the people who make it. As our cover star, kora player Sona Jobareth, says, “social structures have changed, and traditions have to adapt, otherwise they just fall away.” She has been confronting norms her whole life, having chosen an instrument ordinarily reserved for men, but in this issue she talks about how she’s targeting the educational system, “treating it as an emergency.” She speaks about how the new order should prioritise African culture and history in education and is making the first steps towards the change she wishes to see with her own griot music academy. Read more on p22.

But she’s not the only one shaking things up; this issue is full of game changers, artists who are pushing boundaries. Béla Fleck has spent 20 years redefining the banjo (p30); Purbayan Chatterjee (p36) is continuing the synthesis of East and West that was made so popular by The Beatles (p28); and Noam Vazana is using Ladino to write original songs, bringing the archaic language into the 21st century (p34).

Just as music should always be evolving, so should Songlines. I look forward to the opportuni as editor to help it continue to grow, and to deepen the well of experience the magazine represents while fostering a more inclusive and forward-thinking attitude to the music we cover.

This issue is full of game changers, artists who are pushing boundaries…

Visit our website for more details about our carbon offsetting:

www.songlines.co.uk/

carbon-offsetting

Alexandra Petropoulos, editor

PS Why not gi a world of music this Christmas? See p26 for details

CBP001802

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

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Songlines is published by MA Music Leisure & Travel Ltd St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Rd, London, SE24 0PB, UK +44 (0)20 7738 5454 info@songlines.co.uk www.songlines.co.uk

© MA Music Leisure & Travel Ltd, 2021. All rights reserved. No part of Songlines may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the publishing director. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editor or Songlines advertisements in the journal do not imply endorsement of the products or services advertised. Please read our privacy policy, by visiting privacypolicy.markallengroup.com. This will explain how we process, use and safeguard your data. ISSN 1464-8113. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2A Record trade distribution Songlines 020 7738 5454 Newstrade distribution Marketforce 020 3787 9101

Ton Maas Ton studied cultural anthropology and works as a freelance writer. He has published several books and articles on natural learning. Read his interview with Amsterdam Klezmer Band on p76.

Maria Lord A lecturer and writer based in Vienna, Maria’s musical research focuses on the eastern Mediterranean and South Asia. This issue she speaks to sitarist Tommy Khosla about his debut album, see p16.

Simon Coates Based in London, Simon is a writer, artist, producer and curator. He’s also the founder of arts and activism platform Tse Tse Fly Middle East. This issue he speaks to the founder of the Singing Wells project, p15.

Songlines was launched in 1999 and is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only magazine to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identi . Delivered in both print and digital formats, Songlines, through its extensive articles and reviews, is your essential and independent guide to a world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

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DECEMBER 2021 › SONGLINES 03