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TORONTO – THURSDAY, JULY 9TH, 2015 – Small World Music proudly presents the 14th Annual Small World Music Festival from September 24th to October 4th, in celebration of the diverse music scene in the heart of Toronto. Capturing the world in ten-days, Small World’s signature annual program is bringing the sounds of Mali, Korea, Cuba, Ethiopia, Palestine and more, to local stages. Must-see concerts include Vieux Farka Touré, showcasing his killer Malian guitar chops at Revival Bar on October 1st. Soulful and sinuous Ester Rada makes her Toronto debut September 27th, while Korean sensational duo sum – 숨[suːm] produce hypnotic 21st century sounds on ancient instruments at Small World Music Centre studio September 29th and London-based Ethiopian band Krar Collective rock Lula Lounge on October 4th. And that’s just a start! For more information, tickets, videos and continued updates, please visit www.smallworldmusic.com.
HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS – FULL LINEUP COMING SOON…!
ESTER RADA (Ethiopia/Israel) – Toronto Debut
Presented in association with the Koffler Centre for the Arts
Sunday, September 27th @ 9 pm / Doors 8 pm
Revival Bar, 783 College Street, Toronto
Tickets: Coming soon
Ethiopian-born Israeli singer Ester Rada’s cross-cultural sound blends classic soul with African influences of Fela funk and Ethiopiques cool jazz. Singing in English and Amharic, her irresistible voice carries echoes of Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, while standing shoulder to shoulder with contemporary greats like Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu.
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SUM – 숨[SUːM] (Korean)
Tuesday, September 29th @ 8 pm / Doors 7:30 pm
Small World Music Centre, 180 Shaw Street, Studio 101, Toronto
Tickets: Advance $15 / $20 Door
[su:m] mix traditional Korean instrumentation with a dramatically modern approach to produce hypnotic 21st century soundtracks.
[su:m], or in English – A Rythmic Space / a Pause For Breath – consist of two young and talented artists who happen to be sisters. Jungmin Seo and Jiha Park are classically trained and have been together producing modern music on ancient instruments since 2007. They use an impressive list of exquisite-sounding Korean instruments in their work: piri (bamboo oboe), saenghwang (mouth organ), yanggeum (dulcimer), 25-string gayageum (zither) and the steel string gayageum.
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VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ (Mali/New York) – Featuring Julia Easterlin
Presented in association with Batuki Music Society
Thursday, October 1st @ 9 pm / Doors 8 pm
Revival Bar, 783 College Street, Toronto
Tickets: $25 Advance / $35 door
Vieux Farka Touré is known for dazzling crowds with his speed and dexterity on the guitar, as well as his palpable charisma and luminous smile, both of which captivate audiences around the world. “Vieux’s mesmeric, curling grooves and dazzling fluid phrasing are an earful of fresh air.” — The Times (London)
Son of Malian music legend Ali Farka Touré, Vieux has transcended his family legacy to become a true world music superstar in his own right, forging a singular identity as a singer, guitarist, and composer whose influences range far beyond his homeland. Touré’s new album, aptly titled Touristes, is a collaboration with New York-based singer Julia Easterlin. Mixing traditional Malian songs and the sounds of ancient Africa with blues and rock, Vieux Farka Touré creates world music for the 21st century.
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KRAR COLLECTIVE (Ethiopia)
Presented in association with Batuki Music Society
Sunday, October 4th @ 9:00 pm / Doors 7:30 pm
Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Tickets: $20 Advanced / $30 Door
Krar Collective will serve up mind-blowing Ethiopian grooves on their Toronto debut. Armed with their krar, kebero drums and stunning vocals, they have created Ethiopia Super Krar – a sound rooted in tradition and emblazoned with attitude.
“unlike any other music from Africa in recent years. It’s at once accessible, beautiful, and energetic.” – All Music Guide
The unstoppable trio, dubbed ‘the White Stripes of Ethiopia’ for their minimalist rock sound, are favourites on the London scene and increasingly so, on the international live circuit as well. They are renowned for their dynamic performances which include stunning dance moves, and an instrumental line-up featuring the krar and bass krar lyre, kebero drums, a one stringed masenqo fiddle and a washint flute accompanying the band’s distinctive vocals.
