Hanggai 5 star review in the Beijing Time Out.


Africa Unsigned competition in Amsterdam

TEDxAmsterdam & Africa Unsigned competition for 3 female artists from Kenya

Africa Unsigned Provides a Platform for Kenyan Artists during TEDx Amsterdam
THE NEW AFRICAN SOUND IS CLOSER THROUGH CROWDFUNDING
Amsterdam, 16th September 2010 – Monday the 20th September initiator Pim Betist and Jazz pianist Mike del Ferro will kick off a unique crowd funding competition during TEDxChange Amsterdam. Africa Unsigned and TEDx Amsterdam will give the winning artist the opportunity to perform live on stage on the 30th of November in the National Theater of Amsterdam. The Kenyan artist who raises the largest amount of money before the 30th of October will be offered travel costs, accommodation, studio time and a performance at the prestigious TEDx Amsterdam event on the 30th of November. TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. TEDx stands for independently organized event. A new program that enables local communities such as schools, businesses, libraries, neighborhoods or just groups of friends to organize, design and host their own independent, TED-like events
Voting with your wallet
Music fans including the Africa Unsigned community can support their favorite artist with a minimum amount of 1 US dollar. For this competition three Kenyan African artists have been nominated : Muthoni, Neema and Liz Ogumbo. A minor investment from a large group of music lovers could make it possible for these artists to enjoy a brighter future in the music industry. By investing in one of the Kenyan artists music fans get a chance to win an invitation to see their favorite artist perform live at TEDx Amsterdam on the 30th of November. All of the money invested during this competition will be eventually be invested towards the recording of a professional EP. Investing is open to everyone on www.africaunsigned.com .

Co-Operation
The ambitious character and innovative approach of both Africa Unsigned and TEDx Amsterdam made their co-operation a logical approach. Program Director of TEDx Amsterdam, Monique van Dusseldorp: “ In our program we provide a platform for new and upcoming artists. The manner in which Africa Unsigned supports artists in Africa to break through in the western music industry is one we would like to support by offering them a platform for their skills. Pim Betist has a unique way of working that identifies with the philosophies of TED.”

Performance in Amsterdam’s Stadsschouwburg
The Kenyan artist that brings in most money through the investments of fans before the 30th of October will perform in Amsterdam’s “Stadsschouwburg” on the 30th November 2010 during the TEDx Amsterdam event. Travel and accommodation costs are taken care of by TEDx. In addition to that, the artist will also be offered some valuable studio time while in Amsterdam.

Crowd funding
All artists who reach the amount of $10,000 will be able to record a professional EP and receive guidance and promotion from Africa Unsigned. The music is distributed to all the fans that supported the artist. Africa Unsigned promotes the EP and distributes it to all online music stores (including iTunes and Amazon). The profits are shared equally between the fans and the artist.

Embed Code:

Somi kicks of a new World Sessions season

This month a new season of World Sessions starts again. Jazz/Soul singer Somi, born in Illinois with parents from Rwanda and currently living in New York, kicks of 25th September in Utrecht (Vredenburg). Somi worked in the past with artists like John Legend, Cassandra Wilson, Mos Def and paul Simon. On her latest album "If the Raines come first" she had the pleasure to work with South African icon Hugh Masekela.

Somi will be on live Dutch Television and radio during her Dutch tour.

25/9 Vredenburg - Utrecht
29/9 De Oosterpoort - Groningen
01/10 De Doelen - Rotterdam
02-10 Podium Mozaiek - Amsterdam
03-10 Theaters Tilburg - Tilburg

www.worldsessions.nl

Fatoumata Diawara plays showcase at WOMEX

Fatoumata Diawara got quite some attention when she toured with Oumou Sangare for the last year.
This has resulted in a record deal with World Circuit and the first songs should see the light very soon in the form of an EP. Most recently Herbie Hancock released his new project "Imagine" in which Fatoumata is doing vocals on one of the songs.
In October Fatou has been invited to perform a showcase in Copenhage at the WOMEX. Her new album is due for Spring 2011. Her bookings are done by her agent World Connection Agency.

Credits picture copyright 2010 Afro Pfingsten Festival

Blick Bassy tours the world and records new album

Having played recently in Isle the Reunion, Angola and The Netherlands, Blicks "Leman tour" brings him in the coming months to Cape Verde, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar, Holland and his native France. Blick just returned from Rio de Janeiro where he recorded with the help of Lenine, the basis of his new record. With earlier collaborater Jean Lamoot, he will finish the album in Paris. The album is taking the slave route from Cameroon to Brazil with stop overs in Benin, Senegal and Cape Verde. Blick Bassy is expect to release his second album middle of February 2011.

New album Mariza almost ready

While most of us were enjoying a holiday, Mariza made it in August to a nice studio in downtown Lisbon to record her upcoming new album.
After having recorded already classic contemporary albums like Terra and Transparente, Mariza returns to traditional fado.

After several years of extensive research into Fado’s most beloved and historic songs, Mariza returns to her roots, and will present a collection of traditional fados close to her heart.

The album is expected to be released in Portugal before Christmas and followed by a Spring 201 release in Europe.