Alan Finkel's Live in London

3pm-4pm

Acclaimed as the greatest West African voice of his generation, Salif Keita gives a rare UK concert in Leeds, recorded as part of Radio 3’s coverage of fuseleeds06. He performs songs from his recent album ‘M’Bemba’, literally Ancestors, a homage to his family line which stretches back to the 13th century founder of the Mali Empire, Sunjata Keita. Introduced by Lucy Duran.

Sat

20 May

Gerry Lyseight with Richard Williams

8pm-10pm

Gerry Lyseight sits in for Charlie Gillett. One of the UK’s best writers about music is also one of the UK’s best writers about sport, and Richard Williams’s book Ten, celebrating ten footballers who wore the magic number 10 on their shirts, is published just ahead of World Cup 2006. The ping pong may feature music from countries involved in the book and/or the Cup.

Sat

20 May

Albert Lee

Borderline

7pm

British country and blues guitarist

Sat

20 May

Zum - “Gypsy Tango Mania”

7.30pm

Acclaimed gypsy tango band, ZUM, takes you from magical tenderness and haunting, intoxicating harmonies to awesome explosions of sound and rhythmic power (World Music Festival)

Sat

20 May

Mauro Carra

10pm

World Music Festival: Late Night concert by Virtuoso Accordionist

Sat

20 May

Robert Cray

doors 7pm

Contemporary soulful US blues

Sat

20 May

Tropicalia Remixed / Orquestra Imperiale

8pm

Special event features the whole of seminal 1968 album Tropicália ou Panis et Circensis performed live by a group of young Brazilian musicians from groups such as Nacao Zumbi, Orquestra Imperial and Moreno - Domenico - Kassin+2

Sat

20 May

Tropicalia Clubstage / post-concert

10.30pm

Free event in the foyer. Tropical mayhem and Baile funk with DJ Marlboro / Totonho and Os Cabra

Sat

20 May

Chilli Fried South with Trio Lokito

Ritzy Cafe

8pm-1am

Chilli Fried welcomes Bazaar to its monthly Brixton Ritzy session. Mixing Celtic-acoustica, Middle-Eastern melodies, blues guitar, African percussion and sitar, with vocals in English and Turkish. This band offer new and exciting sounds, skilful improvisation and a sense of adventure. All this plus DJ Jamie Renton and DJ Ilka making their own musical journeys around the globe. Free admission

Sat

20 May

Brazilian Love Affair

8pm-2am

DJ Patrick Forge unites the steamiest grooves from both sides of the Atlantic between London and Rio

Sat

20 May

Soweto Gospel Choir

Alban Arena

7.45pm

26-piece from the heart of the townships at St Albans

Sat

20 May

Batmacumba World Cup Special

ICA

9pm-1.30am

DJ Cliffy plays host to a Batmacumba World Cup Special for the launch party of Grupo Batuque's Brazilian football album 'Ole Ola' featuring vibes from the Brazilian football terraces, classic vocal samba plus remixes

Sat

20 May

Bruce Springsteen in concert

BBC TWO

11.30pm

Another chance to see The Boss performing songs from his new album, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions recently recorded at LSO St Lukes in London.

Sun

21 May

The Master Drummers of Africa

2pm

Great drum orchestra with spectacular show (LAMF)

Sun

21 May

Zongo

6pm

Free concert in the foyer, Afrobeat and hi life mixed with rock (LAMF)

Sun

21 May

Cheikh Lo

7.30pm

Senegalese singer and recent guest of Charlie Gillett with tracks from his latest album Lamp Fall plus support from Funmi Olawumi (Nigeria) LAMF

Sun

21 May

Radio Gagarin - Experiments in Sunday Socialism

6pm-1am

With live sets from Tzigandia, an acoustic/electro Gypsy revelation from Paris, and Ghetto Plotz a live klezmer-house dancefloor project. Plus DJs Max Reinhardt & Misha Maltsev

Sun

21 May

Debashish Bhattacharya

Brighton Komedia

9pm

Remarkable slide guitarist

Sun

21 May

Andy Kershaw

10.15pm-midnight

With a session from one of Britain’s great songwriters – the virtuoso guitarist and incurable romantic John Martyn.

Mon

22 May

Os Mutantes & Nacao Zumbi

7.30pm

Featuring a reunion of original members of the psychedelic rock band Os Mutantes. Plus Pernambuco's Nacao Zumbi

Mon

22 May

Claude Deppa Unlimited

7.45pm

South African trumpeter Claude Deppa with 7-piece band including Cuban violinist Omar Puente, tabla grand master Yousuf Ali Khan and conga maestro Francis Fuster. Sharp jazz improvisations meet African rhythms and sonic break beats. LAMF

Tue

23 May

Tribute to Rai Cheikha Rimitti

doors 7pm

Come and bellydance on the last remixes of Oriental groove and Rai in the remembrance of the late “grande dame” du Rai, Cheikha Rimitti.

Tue

23 May

Karine Polwart

7.30pm

Scottish Borders based singer/songwriter established herself at the forefront of the UK folk-roots scene after scooping three prizes at the BBC Radio Folk Awards

Tue

23 May

Nuru Kane

7.30pm

Bringing the tradition of Senegalese music into the urban 21st century, combining African instruments like the n'goni, tama, sanza and calebasse with guitar and bass. A guest last year on Charlie Gillett's show

Tue

23 May

Spiers & Boden

8pm

UK folk duo

Tue

23 May

Czechomor

7.30pm

Deeply rooted Moravian village music. Imbued with playful humour, melancholy, passion and courage, Czechomor's unique brand of Czech folk/world music evokes images of their homeland and the nature of its people. Songs from new album What Happened Next?

Tue

23 May

The Fureys & Davey Arthur

Hackney Empire

7.30pm

The Fureys celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2003 with a series of concerts throughout Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada. They were reunited on these concerts with their lifetime friend and former member Davey Arthur.

Wed

24 May

Doudou Cissoko Trio

12.30pm

Celebrated Senegalese griot, master kora player and vocalist performs profound and spiritual traditional music with a Western influence, featuring Alicia Davies (percussion) and Davide Mantovani (double bass). Free in the Foyer LAMF

Wed

24 May

Bonga

7.30pm

Bonga, the godfather of Angolan music his deep grooves, wild joy and dark melancholy songs for his first major London concert in 15 years. Support from Busiswe & Prudence (South Africa) LAMF

Wed

24 May

Chilli Fried North presents Forty Thieves Orkestar

8pm-midnight

Chilli Fried is very proud to host the launch party for a very special CD: Forty Thieves Orkestar’s beguiling debut Forgotten Tales (Crafty Music). A deliciously spicy blend of Eastern and Balkan melodies, served piping hot over dub, breaks and hip-hop beats. Featuring live instruments and imaginative laptop rhythms, Thief in chief Aidan Love and his cohorts are one of the finest bands on the London live circuit. So come and join us for a night that’s sure to make your belly dance and your spirit soar! DJ Jamie Renton + special guest Balkan specialist DJ Penny Metal at 182 St John Street EC1

Wed

24 May

Azymuth

doors 7pm

Brazilian legends return to Jazz Café for one exclusive date

Wed

24 May

Julian Joseph Quartet

LSO St Lukes

8pm

Well-known jazz standards by Gershwin, Ellington and Porter; and original compositions by Julian Joseph.

Wed

24 May

Azymuth

doors 7pm

Revisiting their hits on the Pure Tour

Wed

24 May

V-RO

G Lounge

8pm

London based Columbian / English band at 18 Kentish Town Road

Wed

24 May

Branco Stoysin Trio

Anvil Basingstoke

8pm

Original guitar sounds, blended with Eastern European folk touches. In The Forge.

Wed

24 May

Dano 2006 Korean Breeze

7.30pm

Traditional music from Korea. Yang Seung Hee, the master of Kayagum and other artists perform Sanjo, Sinawi and Pansori

Wed-Sun

24 May-11 June

Miguel Angel Zotto’s Tango Por Dos

Peacock Theatre

various

Argentina's top tango company, directed by Miguel Angel Zotto, is back with a brand new show straight from Buenos Aires.

Thu

25 May

Brian Abrahams Trio

12.30pm

Drum led contemporary jazz. Free in the Foyer LAMF

Thu

25 May

Joe Boyd in Conversation with Mick Brown

The Boogaloo

8pm

More than any previous 60's music autobiography Joe Boyd's "White Bicycles" offers the real story of what it was like to be there at the time. His greatest coup is bringing to life the famously elusive figure of Nick Drake - the first time he's been written about by anyone who knew him well. The book also offers vivid portraits of Coleman Hawkins, Eric Clapton, Sandy Denny, The Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention. "This is the best book about music I've read in years and a gripping piece of social history" Brian Eno. At 312 Archway Road. More information, reservations etc (020 7609 2543).

Thu

25 May

John Hammond

7pm

Influential American bluesman

Fri

26 May

The World Jazz Trio

5.15pm- 6.45pm

Free concert in the foyer featuring Chico Mdima (South Africa/drums); Jimmy Martinez (Cuba/bass) and Paul Weinreb (UK/piano) fusing African rhythms, Latin melodies and European harmonies (LAMF)

Fri

26 May

The Burning Bush

7.30pm

World Music Festival: Combining klezmer, Arab-influenced dance music from the old Ottoman world and ballads of the ghetto, Burning Bush cross cultural boundaries

Fri

26 May

Akim El Sikameya

7pm

Electrifying and boundary crossing music from Algerian singer and violinist. A virtuoso instrumentalist and soulful singer who fuses Arabic and Andalusian music traditions (LAMF)

Fri

26 May

Mahmoud Ahmed

10pm

The greatest singer in Ethiopian music, Mahmoud Ahmed’s songs unite forty ethnic groups, seventy languages and two hundred dialects. To many the star of last year's WOMAD, here Mahmoud plays a special South Bank late-nighter (LAMF)

Fri

26 May

Tony Kofi & The Afro Jazz Family

7.45pm

Tony Kofi and his 10-piece band Afro Jazz Family from Ghana with a fusion of African rhythms, urban beats and jazz solos (LAMF)

Fri

26 May

Allen Toussaint

Bush Hall

7.30pm

Very special solo concert by the musical legend from New Orleans. Toussaint defined the city’s distinctive R&B sound and worked with its finest exponents such as Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, The Neville Brothers, The Meters, Dr John and Labelle. His genius has also touched work by The Band, Paul Simon and Bonnie Raitt. His latest collaboration ‘The River In Reverse’ (Verve) - a marvellous album made with long time musical admirer Elvis Costello - is released this May.

Fri

26 May

Orient Express Club Balkan Edition

10.30pm-2.30am

Balkan gypsy madness, raw and remixed. Hitch a ride eastwards with Orient Express DJs include Russ Jones.

Fri

26 May

Toumani Diabate & Symmetric Orchestra plus Cheikh Lo

Anvil Basingstoke

7.45pm

Extraordinary double-bill, Africa’s finest kora player Mali's Toumani Diabaté. Plus support from Cheikh Lo who gave a storming performance recently at the Jazz Café.

Sat

27 May

World Routes

3pm-4pm

Lucy Duran and the musician Viram Jasani travel to Northern India in search of music for the Lord Krishna. They start their journey in the state of Gujarat where they find singing shepherds directly descended from the milk-maids and boys of Krishna’s time. Plus they are joined by Gujarat’s most famous folk musician Praful Dave who performs an exclusive session for the programme in Ahmedabad. (1/2) repeat

Sat

27 May

Women of Kampala

2pm

Sweet harmonies and soulful dance rhythms from Rachel Magoola, Milly Namakusa, Jennifer Lawala, Essence Kafozi and Barbara Wamala and their five-piece band. (LAMF)

Sat

27 May

Dudu Sarr & Eric Soul tbc

7.45pm

Please check with venue if this is still going ahead: Senegal’s Dudu Sarr (Afrotronic) and Rwanda’s Eric Soul (Afrogroov) combine cutting edge techniques in performance and production. Live music from an array of instrumentalists combined with their DJ set (LAMF)

Sat

27 May

Sisi Eko

5pm

Free concert in the foyer from 5-piece a cappella group (LAMF)

Sat

27 May

Toumani Diabate & Symmetric Orchestra

7pm

For the first time in the UK, Africa’s finest kora player Mali's Toumani Diabaté brings his 15-piece Symmetric Orchestra to London. Toumani Diabate has played his kora, the 21-string harp/lute, with Ali Farka Toure, Salif Keita, Ballake Sissoko, Taj Mahal, Peter Gabriel, Spain's flamenco-fusion band Ketama and countless jazz musicians who have sought him out in Bamako where he lives. A treat is in store (LAMF)

Sat

27 May

Charlie Gillett's guests are Graeme Merifield + Aynur and Mikail Aslan

8pm-10pm

Radio ping pong with the organiser of the Wychwood Festival; plus live session from Kurdish vocalists based in Istanbul, Turkey

Sat

27 May

Kanda Bonga Man

10pm

Flamboyant Congolese singer and band leader fusing soukous with deep funk, Latin beats and reggae bass lines. Tonight he plays a special South Bank late-nighter (LAMF)

Sat

27 May

Anna Vissi

Royal Albert Hall

7.30pm

One of the most popular female singers in Greece

Sat

27 May

The Ethiopians, The Heptones, The Silvertones, The Melodians, Big Youth

Forum

7.30pm

Special reggae celebration

Sat-Sun

27-28 May

Martha Wainwright

7.30pm

Daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and sister of Rufus Wainwright. She has frequently appeared on recordings by her family members, and has released several independent EPs. Her full length self-titled debut was released in 2005 by Drowned In Sound.

Sun

28 May

Madagascar Allstars

2pm

London debut featuring some of the finest musicians from this beautiful island including Damam Regis Gizavo (accordion), Justin Vali (king of the valiha and guest last year on Charlie Gillett's show), Erick Manana (guitar) and Fenoamby. They come together in a celebration of music in motion. Madagascar is a melting pot of Polynesian, East African and Indian rhythms and harmonies (LAMF)

Sun

28 May

Lagos Art Orchestra

6pm

Free concert in the foyer featuring pianist Gboyega Adelaja and his 12-piece band fusing jazz solos with afrobeat (LAMF)

Sun

28 May

Queen Salawa Abeni

7.30pm

3-hour spectacular dance show. With 60 albums to her credit and millions sold, Nigeria’s Queen Salawa Abeni is much more than just a great singer, she is a social phenomenon and the Queen of Waka music, a style she invented with a fusion of juju, fuji, afrobeat driven by Yoruba percussion. Support from Afro Soul People (LAMF)

Sun

28 May

Piu Sarkhel & Purnima Choudhuri

7.45pm

North Indian khyal and thumri vocal styles

Sun

28 May

Mary Black

7.30pm

Irish folk singer launches new album Full Tide

Sun

28 May

Stranger than Paradise club night

South London Pacific

7pm-1am

Los Angeles based Columbian Vallenatto band play live plus DJ Sacha Penny Metal and the usual weird and wonderful gathering at 340 Kennington Road SE11

Sun-Wed

28-31 May

Average White Band

7pm

Jazz Funk super group

Sun-Mon

28-29 May

Antonio Forcione

QuecumBar

7pm

Internationally acclaimed guitarist from Italy with Adriano Pinto (percussion) at 42-44 Battersea High Street

Sun

28 May

Andy Kershaw

10.15pm-midnight

In 1987 the late Ali Farka Toure performed his first UK gig. It was for thirty people and took place in the kitchen of Andy Kershaw’s one-bedroom flat in Crouch End. Andy made a cassette recording and tonight there’s the chance to hear the first broadcast of the historic Elder Avenue Session.

Mon

29 May

Jonathan Preiss & Anselmo Netto

6pm

Virtuosic Brazilian choro for guitar & mandolin. Free at the Djanogly Concert Pitch

Mon

29 May

Batmacumba - Brazilian Charity Event club night

6-2am

London School of Samba, Maracatu Estrela Do Norte Mestre Pacheco e Coco de Raizes Olinda perform live plus DJs Cliffy, Spiritual South, Joe Davis, Dan Seixas in Charity fundraiser for Ruas e Pracas (Streets and Squares)

Tue-Wed

30-31 May

Marta Topferova

7.30pm

Czech-born, New York resident with sultry Latin folk at 11-13 Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner

Tue

30 May

Psapp

8pm

Galia Durant and Carim Clasmann - recent guests of Charlie Gillett with songs from Everything I Ever Wanted and more

Tue

30 May

Sidi Goma

Trinity Theatre

7.30pm

Black Sufis of Gujarat, with captivating and powerful, sounds from their unique African-Indian heritage

Tue

30 May

Badawi live

ICA

8pm

Rare appearance by New York's Badawi with dub trickery, Middle Eastern percussion, avant-garde de-composition and experimental turntablism.

Tue

30 May

Latinesque Compilation’ Launch Party

doors 7pm

Most records presents ‘Latinesque Compilation’ Launch Party featuring special guests live

Wed

31 May

Ladysmith Black Mambazo & The Mahotella Queens

7.30pm

Wonderful Zulu harmony singing from South Africa plus the Mahotella Queens

Wed

31 May

Gipsy Kings

Hammersmith Apollo

7.30pm

Rumba flamenca from the gypsy settlements in Arles and Montpelier in the south of France

Wed

31 May

Gary Lucas and others

ICA

8pm

Gary Lucas, Cosmo, Shovel, Miss Lady G Luck and the Light Surgeons join forces to play the Bacardi GCC (Global Collaborative Collective) Launch

Wed

31 May

Bossa Nova Reunion

Cadogan Hall

8pm

The Masters of Bossa Nova Reunion brings together legendaries João Donato and Wanda Sá, as well young British and Brazilian musicians, playing Bossa Nova and the new trends of Samba Jazz, under the baton of the project's musical and artistic director, Marcos Valle, one of the major songwriters of Brazilian Popular Music. At Sloane Square.

Wed-Sun

31 May-11 June

Kabuki feat Ebizo Ichikawa XI

Sadlers Wells

7.30pm

Kabuki is a highly stylized performing art that employs flamboyant costumes, elaborate make-up and exaggerated body movements to create a sense of the spectacular. Combining acting, dancing and live traditional music, Kabuki is as rich as its heritage.

Thu

1 June

Radio Tarifa + Yasmin Levy

7.30pm

Hearing Madrid-based Radio Tarifa live is to experience a particularly timely coming together of flamenco, ancient Iberian, Moorish, Yiddish, North African and Middle Eastern music, evoking the past whilst remaining enthralling contemporary. Tonight's rare London show is their first here in two years. Expect thunderous flamenco percussion and lurching Arabic rhythms. Also appearing is Yasmin Levy, with her electrifying Ladino songs and smouldering flamenco.

Thu

1 June

Doudou Cissoko

8pm

Celebrated Senegalese griot, master kora player and vocalist

Thu

1 June

Leningrad

Dingwalls

7.30pm

Manic 14 piece with their mix of punk, ska, polka and latin topped with fiery lyrics. Received rave reviews at the Barbican's 'X-Bloc Reunion Festival’ two years ago

Thu

1 June

Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham

St James Church

7pm

Muscle Shoals veteran musicians, writers of soul classic 'I'm Your Puppet', 'She Ain't Gonna Do Right', 'Sweet Inspiration' and 'Out Of Left Field'. At St James Church, 197 Piccadilly.

Thu

1 June

V-RO

Buffalo Bar

8pm

London based Columbian / English band at 259 Upper Street N1

Thu

1 June

Movimientos

Salmon and Compass

7pm-2am

A politically inspired night of Latin Fusion & Tropical Funk: The finest in Afro-Cuban, Boogaloo, Brazilian, Urban Latin funk, Hip Hop, Broken Beats, Drum and Bass, Soulful House & Electronica hosted by DJs Arias & Springfield with Stylo Prohibido MCs, Guest DJ Cliffy. Upstairs: Documentary films on Latin America by independent film makers, presented by different solidarity and support groups. This month an Afro-Reggae special with screening of "Favela Rising". Free at 58 Penton Street, Angel N1

Thu

1 June

Rhythms of the World Cup - Balkan Special

Escape Bar

7.30pm till midnight

DJ Leon Parker presents music from the Balkans. The World Cup is represented with Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro, Sweden (Balkan band Ostblocket), Holland (Amsterdam Klezmer Band), Germany (DJ Shantel) and similar Roma styles from Poland and Czech Republic. At Railton Road, Herne Hill.

Fri

2 June

Andrea Quintarelli Quartet

6pm

Guitar quartet bring spices from Arabia and India, Balkan energy, Django swing and Latin rhythms. Free at the Djanogly Concert Pitch

Fri-Sat

2-3 June

Alejandro Escovedo

St James Church

7pm

Acoustic concernt featuring cello, viola, violin and Alejandro's acoustic guitar at St James Church, 197 Piccadilly

Fri

2 June

Fat Freddy's Drop

Brixton Academy

9pm

7 piece dub / reggae band from Auckland with support from Breaks Co-op & Son of Dave plus DJs Digital Mystic, Trojan Sound System and DJ Derrick

Fri

2 June

Eduardo Niebla "Brilliantissimo"

South Hill Park Arts Centre

7.30pm

Eduardo Niebla with his fabulous quartet presents his poetic and breathtaking flamenco gypsy jazz.

Fri

2 June

Tengir-Too

7.30pm

Music from the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, in Bracknell

Fri-Sun

2-4 June

Wychwood Music Festival

Cheltenham Racecourse

various

3 day festival at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire featuring Amadou & Mariam, Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, Martha Wainwright, Sophie Solomon, Dreadzone, Polar Bear, Doreen Thobekile, DJ Shantel, Seth Lakema, Chris Difford, The Handsome Family, The Bays, Aberfeldy plus more

Fri

2 June

Ska Cubano

7pm

Explosive jump-up combo of rhythms from Cuba, Jamaica and Colombia

Fri

2 June

Mad Professor Dub Show

11pm-2am

One of the best reggae producers returns for exclusive dub show

Fri

2 June

Sidi Goma

Croydon Clocktower

8pm

Black Sufis of Gujarat, with captivating and powerful, sounds from their unique African-Indian heritage

Fri

2 June

Rory McLeod

St Boniface Tooting

8pm

Singing-tap-dancing-one man soul band. His melodies are infused with influences from Flamenco to Blues, to Celtic and Calypso rhythms and beyond.

Sat

3 June

World Routes

3pm-4pm

In search of music performed for Krishna, Lucy Duran and the musician Viram Jasani find themselves in a brothel in Kolkata, India. Squeezed into a sleazy little bed-sit, two courtesan sisters perform songs for the Hindu Deity, rarely recorded and normally reserved for their paying clients. Plus the mad world of the Bauls – music by the tantric philosophers of rural Bengal. (2/2) repeat

Sat

3 June

Charlie Gillett's guest is Doudou Cissoko

8pm-10pm

Live session from Kora virtuoso from Senegal

Sat

3 June

Rosanne Cash

7.45pm

Rosanne Cash visits the UK in June with her band in support of her critically acclaimed album ‘Black Cadillac’ (Capitol).

Sat

3 June

HomeFires III

Conway Hall

various

first of two day festival featuring Elysian Quartet, Adrian Cowley, Grizzly Bear and guest DJs at 25 Red Lion Square

Sat

3 June

¡Mas Rico! - club night

Cafe Logic

9pm-3am

Latin party mixing up Reggaeton, Salsa, Zouk, Latin Hip Hop, Merengue, Bachata, Urban Latin & Tropical Fusions. Resident DJs DJ Loco, Steve M & Mark Wimmers with live percussion. Plus special guest DJ Deoh. At 5-6 Argyll Street, Soho.

Sat

3 June

Future World Funk club night

8pm-2am

DJ Cliffy and Russ Jones plus guests with Turkish electronica, African Hip Hop, township House, Jewish Dub, electro Samba, Gypsy Breakbeat, badassBhangra, Cuban dancehall, Socca and plenty more.

Sun

4 June

HomeFires III

Conway Hall

various

2nd of two day festival featuring Vashti Bunyan, Aliens, Pictish Trail, Pierre Bastien and guest DJs at 25 Red Lion Square

Sun

4 June

Sidi Goma

Arts Depot

8pm

Black Sufis of Gujarat, with captivating and powerful, sounds from their unique African-Indian heritage

Sun

4 June

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Scala

7pm

Mesmerising Mexican guitar duo

Sun

4 June

Tengir-Too

South Street Arts

7.30pm

Music from the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, in Reading

Sun

4 June

Lúnasa

7.30pm

New album from acoustic Irish supergroup

Sun

4 June

Andy Kershaw

10.15pm-midnight

Andy visits the Festival of Nomadic Music in Mauritania, a country on the western fringe of the Sahara desert that is rarely visited by international tourists and businessmen. Twenty years ago its people were 80% nomadic, but its society is now changing dramatically, and is starting to open up to the world. Andy encounters an extraordinarily rich musical culture, both at the festival and beyond, with world-class musicians that the world hasn’t yet discovered. (repeat)

Mon

5 June

Jolie Holland

7.30pm

Acclaimed American performer and songwriter Jolie Holland performs songs from her third album, Springtime Can Kill You.

Tue

6 June

Nettle

doors 7pm

Arabic electronica, uniting musicians from three continents (American turntablist/producer DJ/Rupture, Moroccan multi-instrumentalist Abdel Hak and Scottish cellist Jenny Jones)

Tue

6 June

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

7.45pm

With a career spanning almost 40 years and over 20 albums, classic blues riffs, a straight-to-the-point approach to blues rock

Tue

6 June

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Anvil Basingstoke

7.45pm

Headed by charismatic founder/composer Joseph Shabalala,the Grammy Award-winning Ladysmith are Africa’s number one selling group.

Tue

6 June

Ustad Nishat Khan

7.45pm

Sitar virtuoso

Tue

6 June

Fazal Qureshi, Pete Lockett & Amit Chatterjee

Nehru Centre

7pm

Three great musicians combine for a brand-new percussive collaboration at 8 South Audley St W1

Tue

6 June

Dreadzone

doors 7pm

Seminal Dub Band fusing electronica and live rhythms

Tue

6 June

Sweet Memory Sounds club night

6pm-2am

DJs Derek, Adam Callan and Tom Murray will warm things up with a soul stew of New Orleans funk and Chicago blues with a dash of island reggae. Plus Cobalt play live

Tue-Wed

6-7 June

Yasmin Levy

7.30pm

Israeli singer with her electrifying Ladino songs and smouldering flamenco at 11-13 Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner

Wed

7 June

Balkan Fever launch party

Space Studios

6pm

Free party to launch Balkan Fever London and the exhibition ‘The Sweetest Dream’ at Hackney’s brand new Space Studios. 129 Mare Street Hackney E8 between Bethnal Green and Hackney.

Wed

7 June

Carmen Souza

doors 7pm

Singer-songwriter from Portugal. An intimate concert where African and Cape Verdian traditions rhythms like batuke, funana and morna impeccably blend with Jazz/Fusion/Soul and contemporary influences.

Wed

7 June

Ron Sexsmith & Ane Brun

7.30pm

Norwegian singer-songwriter who was Charlie Gillett's guest in April, supporting Canadian Ron Sexsmith

Wed

7 June

Okeanos Plus

Wilton Music Hall

7.30-9.15pm

Combining western and Japanese instruments as part of the Spitalfields festival more details www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk at Grace's Alley, Wellclose Square E1

Thu

8 June

Aïwa & Soothsayers

7pm-1am

Aïwa from Rennes, Northern France, led by two Iraqi brothers and featuring French vocalist Sevérine launching their new album Elnar, support from Soothsayers with their fusion of nu Afro beat and dub

Thu

8 June

Chilli Fried with SambaSunda

8pm-midnight

Chilli Fried, the unique globalbeat club night presents Indonesian percussion meets Brazilian samba plus DJs Paul Fisher (Far Side) and Jamie Renton at Darbucka World Music Bar 182 St John Street

Thu

8 June

Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris

Wembley Arena

8pm

Launching their collaboration 'All the Roadrunning' plus individual old favourites.

Thu

8 June

Angelo Debarre

QuecumBar

7pm

Gypsy swing guitar at 42-44 Battersea High Street.

Fri

9 June

Aynur & Mikail Aslan Ensemble

7.30pm

Two rising stars of Kurdish music meet in London for a special concert focusing on Alevi, Kurdish and Dersim music, with traditional songs accompanied using both traditional and modern techniques. Described as a newstar of Kurdish music, Aynur sings in the Kurmanji, Zazaki and Sorani dialects of Kurdish and has already performed throughout Europe, North America and Asia. Mikail Aslan, who sings in the Zazaki dialect of Kurdish, founded his ensemble in 2002 to expand his traditional musical style using jazz elements. Aynur and Mikail Aslan are guests of Charlie Gillett on May 27

Fri

9 June

The Blockheads

100 Club

7.30pm

Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Dury's album New Boots and Panties on the first Stiff Records tour of the UK. Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher still remain from the original band, and the current line-up is augmented by Gilad Atzmon and Dylan Howe. Playing all the old favourites and plenty of new material.

Fri

9 June

Ensemble Bakhtar

doors 6.45pm

Brings together the exciting talent of 4 outstanding musicians. They interpret traditional and classical music from Afghanistan with a subtle infusion of Greek influence from the Pontic lyra. Featuring Matthaios Tsahourides (Pontic Lyra), Yusuf Mahmood (tabla), John Baily (rubab and dutar), Veronica Doubleday (vocal and daireh) At 78 Bishopsgate.

Sat

10 June

World Routes

3pm-4pm

Lucy Duran meets Aynur, a Kurdish singer from south-east Turkey whose songs were once banned, but who is now part of the changing face of Turkish music. And there is a report from Bali on the growing popularity of the ‘village’ style of gamelan playing.

Sat

10 June

Charlie Gillett's guest is Prakash Daswani

8pm-10pm

Curator of Music Village, London’s annual festival of music from around the world, that takes place in several parks over three weekends.

Sat-Sun

10-11 June

Carnival De Cuba

noon-7pm

Be transported into the heart of Havana for Carnival de Cuba, an authentic Cuban street party that brings the colour and exuberance of Cuba to London’s South Bank. Thanks to Egrem, the leading Cuban music company, the line up includes Cuba’s number one band Sur Caribe and the island’s other new sensation Arnaldo y su Talisman. There are dance performances, salsa dancing demonstrations and lessons to join in; plus a massive Reggaeton showcase and range of children’s activities. Drink in the taste of Cuba with selection of Cuban cantinas and bars serving fresh Latin food, juicy cocktails made with Cuban rum, fresh tropical fruit smoothies. At Bernie Spain Gardens (next to Oxo Tower Wharf) and along the South Bank riverside walkway SE1 - entrance is free

Sat

10 June

Asha Bhosle

Wembley Arena

8pm

Asha Bhosle will play in the Grand Hall, Wembley Conference Centre

Sat

10 June

Voyages through lands and time

Wilton Music Hall

7pm-9.30pm

Featuring Sahra Ahmed singer, Sahra Ahmed singer, Hudaydi oud, Joglaresa and Surtaal. The oud today stands at the centre of contemporary Somali music. Some call it supernatural, especially when its ten strings are plucked by a virtuoso like Hudaydi along with the magical singing of Sahra Ahmed. Sample local refreshments during the interval, then feast on passionate Sephardic and Bangladeshi song, culminating in a fusion of these fascinating traditions. At Grace's Alley, Wellclose Square E1

Sun

11 June

Maxi Priest

Coronet

8pm

Britist reggae artist dubbed as the King of Lover's Rock

Sun

11 June

Andy Kershaw

10.15pm-midnight

With a session from George Thorogood, one of America’s best-loved vintage rockers. His biggest hits with his band The Destroyers include ‘Bad to the Bone’ and ‘Born to be Bad’.

Mon

12 June

Chroma

Wilton Music Hall

9-10pm

Klezmer meets tango in the Argentina of Golijov and Piazzolla, composers who, half a century apart, created a new chamber music out of folksong and popular dance. As part of the Spitalfields festival more details www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk at Grace's Alley, Wellclose Square E1

Tue

13 June

Zongo

doors 7pm

An innovative seven-piece band delivering a fusion of Afrobeat, hi-life from Ghana and rock

Tue

13 June

Natacha Atlas

doors 7pm

Ex Transglobal Underground lead singer launches her new album Mish Ma'oul

Tue

13 June

Brasilian Special

7pm-1am

Live football Brasil v Croatia, plus live music from Instituo and a very special Brasilian guest plus DJ Gilles Peterson

Wed

14 June

Ed Motta

8pm-1am

Launching his new album Aystelum tonight

Wed

14 June

Toots & The Maytals

Koko

7.30pm-11pm

Toots Hibbert's reggae greats

Wed

14 June

Ed Motta

doors 7pm

Brazilian star returns after last year’s sell out shows with tracks from new album Aystelum

Wed

14 June

Louis Mhlanga

doors 7pm

Singer-songwriter from Southern Africa

Wed

14 June

Tango Siempre with Gilad Atzmon & Steve Argüelles

7.30pm

Tangents – New Directions in Tango

Wed

14 June

SambaSunda

Brighton Komedia

8pm

Dynamic Javanese 17-piece tour debut album

Thu

15 Jun

Celebrating Jaroslav Jezek

6pm

Czech and Slovak musicians perform works by the popular jazz composer on the anniversary of his birth. Free at the Djanogly Concert Pitch

Thu

15 Jun

Dixie Chicks

7.45pm

The Dixie Chicks proudly return to the Empire. On their last visit an aside distancing themselves from George Bush had major repercussions for the band.

Thu-Sat

15-17 June

Lee Scratch Perry

doors 7pm

Eccentric and influential, one of the most enduring and original reggae producers and artists

Thu

15 Jun

African Vibes with Kasai Masai

Viva Viva

9pm

You can expect some red hot Soukous from one of Congo's rising stars plus legendary DJ Wala (Limpopo Club, Respect Festival etc) and Sounds of Eden DJs at 18 High Street, Hornsey N8 near Crouch End

Fri-Sat

16-17 Jun

Tea and Mirella Hodzic

doors 7.30pm

Sarajevo sisters Téa and Mirella Hodzic, husky voices of Balkan band Szapora, perform Balkan-wide traditional song with passion, charm and a 7-piece band. Live from 9pm as part of Balkan Fever festival

Sat

17 June

Chilli Fried South with Carolina Herrera

Ritzy Cafe

8pm-1am

Chilli Fried South presents the wonderful Colombian singer Carolina Herrera. Accompanying herself on guitar, Carolina performs songs from Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, Portugal and beyond. She has performed at WOMAD, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Ronnie Scott's and Darbucka (where she provided live entertainment at the Sound of the World DJ Relay last year). Prepare to be enchanted. All this plus DJs Jamie Renton and Ilka spinning global beats and roots rhythms. Free admission

Sat

17 June

Don Letts

11pm-2am

Rare DJ set for Punk / Rock & Reggae icon

Sun

18 June

Celebrating Sanctuary

2pm-7pm

Launching Refugee Week in London, Celebrating Sanctuary is a cultural cornucopia of music, dance, performance, art and much more presented by established and emerging artists from London’s refugee communities including Palestinian singer Reem Kelani and BBC World Music Award winner DJ Shantel. The event also provides a platform for new performances and artworks. Plus stalls filled with food, drink and crafts from many refugee communities and workshop activities for families. At Bernie Spain Gardens (next to Oxo Tower Wharf) and along the South Bank riverside walkway SE1 - entrance is free

Sun

18 June

Legends of Roots

Brixton Academy

7pm-11pm

Featuring Burning Spear / Culture / Luciano / Abbyssinians / Andrew Tosh / Rasites

Sun

18 June

New Somali sounds

Oxford House

7pm-10pm

Featuring the rising stars of Somali music in London. Blending old with new, these young musicians are the latest wave of talent breaking out of the East End. At Derbyshire Street E2

Sun

18 June

Costa Urbana with Cliffy v DJ Shantel

4pm-1am

Brazil v Australia followed by DJs Cliffy v Shantel throwing down anything from the newest Brazilectro funk to the latest Taraf de Haidouks stomping remix.

Sun

18 June

Blurt

Luminaire

6pm-midnight

Launching new album The Body That They Built To Fit The Car - Best Of Blurt Vol 2 at 307-311 Kilburn High Road NW6

Sun

18 June

Andy Kershaw

10.15pm-midnight

Festival of Nomad Music (repeat of festival in Mauritania)

Mon

19 June

Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan

Holy Trinity Church

7.30pm

Music of ecstasy and majestic climaxes punctuated by gentle gesture and breathtaking melody. The Dhoad Gypsies comprise eight musicians, a dancer and a fakir. Part of the Chelsea Festival at Sloane Street Church

Tue

20 June

Pee Frois

doors 7pm

Senegalese hip hop + Afrotronic party

Tue

20 June

The Harp of David - Joglaresa

Christ Church

8pm-9.45pm

With improvisational skills that transcend divisions of classical and world music, Joglaresa cross Europe, Africa and Asia through the vibrant ballads of the Sephardic Jews. At Commercial Street E1 as part of the Spitalfields Festival.

Wed

21 June

Exhibition Road Music Day

French Institute

7.30pm

Various venues around Exhibition Road, London (free see www.exhibitionroadmusicday.org

Wed

21 June

Lo’Jo

French Institute

7.30pm

Musing French chanson and bohemian fusion with songs from their new album Bazar Savant

Wed

21 June

Elsten Torres

doors 7pm

Singer-songwriter from USA

Wed

21 June

Ivete Sangalo

doors 7pm

Popular Brazilian singer with her first UK concert. An icon in her home country and Portugal, where she is known as the Queen of Carnival

Thu

22 June

Chilli Fried with Sound of the World DJ Relay 2

8pm-midnight

Jamie Renton hosts the second SOTW DJ relay, a party like no other, offering contributors to Charlie Gillett's 'Sound of the World' website the chance to show off their skills behind the decks with short DJ sets. Everyone, from well-known DJs, broadcasters and journalists to fresh-faced first timers, get 15 minutes to play their selection and try to fill the floor. They'll be some live surprises, too! Come and join this FREE party and expect the unexpected. At 182 St John Street

Thu

22 June

Arielle Dombasle

7.30pm

American-born Arielle Dombasle with a retro set of Latin tunes and lounge ballads

Thu

22 June

Latin Flow club night

8pm-1am

Featuring live music from the best Latin Hip Hop crews and other Urban Acts plus DJs offering a mix of Reggeaton, Latin Hip Hop, R&B, Old School Salsa, Brazilian and Latinbeats

Fri

23 June

Daphne Sadeh and the Voyagers

doors 6.45pm

Celebrating rhythms and melodies inspired by the Mediterranean, middle east and Jewish soul music led by Daphna Sadeh - Double Bass, compositions, Stewart Curtis - Clarinet, Flutes, Koby Israelite - Accordion, Nim Schwartz - Oud, Ronen Kozokaro - Percussion At 78 Bishopsgate.

Fri

23 June

Dirty Jim's Swizzle Club

8pm

In Trinidad, Calypso is the soul of the island. Tonight's stellar line-up brings together Trinidad's 20th century calypso greats in a unique event. Featuring Calypso Rose, Mighty Sparrow, Mighty Terror & Lord Superior

Fri

23 June

Toni Kitanovski & Cherkezi + Irina Karamarkovic

doors 7.30pm

Veteran Macedonian gypsy brass meets jazz guitarist Kitanovski, plus beautiful jazz-inflected ballads in Albanian and Serbian from gorgeous honey-voiced Irina Karamarkovic (vocalist with Sandy Lopicic Orkestar). Live from 9pm as part of Balkan Fever festival

Fri

23 June

Gwyneth Herbert + Ingrid Laubrock

8pm

Liam Noble / Ingrid Laubrock+ Gwyneth Herbert album launch

Sat

24 June

World Routes

3pm-4pm

Lucy Durán with a review of the latest world music releases

Sat

24 June

Irina Karamarkovic Quartet

doors 7.30pm

Beautiful jazz-inflected ballads in Albanian and Serbian from gorgeous honey-voiced Irina Karamarkovic (vocalist with Sandy Lopicic Orkestar). Live from 9pm as part of Balkan Fever festival

Sat

24 June

Mojmir Novakovic & Kries + Toni Kitanovski & Cherkezi

7.30pm-1am

Ur-Croatian-shamanic-dance floor music from fRoots favourites rock-god Novakovic and band Kries, plus veteran Macedonian gypsy brass Cherkezi and jazz guitarist Kitanovski. A storming double bill. Live from 8.30pm (Balkan Fever festival)

Sun

25 June

Bah Samba

doors 7pm

Pioneers of latin, jazz and funk grooves

Sun

25 June

Kal + Mojmir Novakovic & Kries

7pm- 11pm

No 1 in the World Music Charts Europe (April 2006), Kal bring Manu Chao attitude to Serbian gypsy virtuosity. They are in session on Charlie Gillett's show on 24 June. Plus Ur-Croatian-shamanic-dance floor music from fRoots favourites rock-god Novakovic and his band Kries. Concluding live concert of Balkan Fever- London. Live from 8pm

Sun

25 June

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Bhavan Centre

7.30pm

Innovative, Grammy award winning player of the hybrid slide guitar called Mohan Veena. At 4a Castletown Rd W14

Sun

25 June

Taiko To Tabla

Arts Depot

8pm

Pete Lockett & Joji Hirota with powerful taiko rhythms blended with intricate Indian tabla and Arabic framedrums.

Mon

26 June

Gilberto Gil e Groupo

7.30pm

Brazil's coolest Minister of Culture returns to the Barbican with his inimitable combination of rock, roots, samba and reggae.

Tue

27 June

'Latinesque Compilation’ Launch Party

doors 7pm

Featuring special guests live

Wed

28 June

Regina Spektor

7.30pm

Launching her new album Begin to Hope

Wed-Thu

28-29 June

Mint Condition

doors 7pm

Jazz café exclusive for the multi-talented, Minnesota based, Soul / R&B band , roaring back from a six-year hiatus with the release of their newest creation, Livin’ the Luxury Brown.

Thu

29 June

Miraca

6pm

original compositions, improvisations & traditional melodies for violin, Mongolian overtone singing, saz, bouzouki, and percussion. Free at the Djanogly Concert Pitch

Thu

29 June

John Fogerty

Hammersmith Apollo

7.30pm

With tracks from both his solo career and time with Creedence. ‘The Long Road Home – The Ultimate John Fogerty: Creedence Clearwater Revival Collection’

Fri

30 June

Micabox

8pm

From Japan

Fri

30 June

Shri

doors 7pm

Leader of the new Asian music movement

Fri

30 June

Orient Express Club Balkan Edition

10.30pm-2.30am

One of London’s newest world music club nights Orient Express at Bar Academy. Tonight with Balkan gyspy madness. DJs focus on the Western Balkans. As part of Balkan Fever festival.

Sat

1 July

Whirl-y-gig house warming club night

Jacks

9pm-6am

Relaunch of Whirl-y-Gig at new venue. DJ Monkey Pilot spins everything from heavy dub and funky beats, to tribal and tropical house, and uplifting global trance at 7-9 Crucifix Lane London Bridge

Sat-Sun

1-2 July

Brasil, tô dentro!

1pm-7pm

Translated as 'Brasil, I'm in!' this new Festival event gives Londoners the chance to savour the Brazilian way of life. Taking place during the World Cup 2006, there are football demonstrations and competitions but if you’re not into footie there is a mix of cutting edge contemporary music and typical forro music (folklore) including Trio Mocoto, the first Jorge Ben Jor band and top Brazilian Hip-Hop act Marcelo D2, plus capoeira shows. Families can take part in costume making workshops and a carnival procession. Food stalls serve favourites such as coxinha (chicken pie) and delicious fresh fruit caipirinha and Guarana soft drinks. At Bernie Spain Gardens (nr Oxo Tower Wharf) and along the South Bank riverside walkway SE1

Sat

1 July

Out Of Africa

8pm

Out Of Africa party night

Mon-Tue

3-4 July

Marcus Miller

doors 7pm

Jazz Café debut for world famous bassist and producer of legendary “Tutu” for Miles Davis

Tue

4 July

James Brown

gates 6.30pm

Master of soul and funk returns

Tue

4 July

The Soul Generals

late

James Brown Official After Show Party featuring James Brown’s backing band

Thu

6 July

Gogol Bordello

Koko

7.30pm-11pm

New York City’s Gypsy punk band led by Eugene Hutz plus the very special DJ Scratchy spinning tunes

Thu

6 July

Mazaika Quartetu

7.45pm

Accordion maestro and tenor Igor Outkine and virtuoso violinist Sarah Harrison, driven by rhythm guitar and double bass, present their mix of Russian songs and gypsy fiddling, tangos from Argentina and Russia, Neapolitan songs, hot club jazz and evocative original material.

Thu

6 July

Rikki

8pm

From Japan

Thu

6 July

Joe Jackson

7.45pm

Joe Jackson returns three years since his last show here, this is the only UK date currently scheduled. Joe will be performing with original band members Graham Maby and Dave Houghton.

Fri

7 July

Sultan Mehmet Fatih Ensemble

7pm

From Sarajevo, Bosnia A new generation of spiritual performers born out of the ashes of battle-scarred Sarajevo, whose music is a unique mix of Turkish, Arab, Balkan and Western influences and traditions. It offers a European style interpretation of traditional Sufi maqams. At 78 Bishopsgate.

Fri

7 July

Ryukyudisko

8pm

Ryukyu style techno band

Fri

7 July

Dr John & Randy Newman

gates 6.30pm, concert 8pm

Dr. John, celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans. Randy Newman is one of the most musically and lyrically ambitious singer-songwriters.

Sat

8 July

Rise: London United

Finsbury Park

12pm-8.30pm

Annual free music festival organised by the Mayor of London brings together tens of thousands of Londoners for a day of live music, in celebration of London's diversity and to show their opposition to racism. Featuring Graham Coxon, Buzzcocks, The Wailers, Sway and Roy Ayers and more.

Sat

8 July

Ziggy Marley

7.45pm

Jamaican musician David 'Ziggy' Marley, eldest son of Bob Marley with his group The Melody Makers

Mon

10 July

Jeff Beck & Buddy Guy

gates 6.30pm

UK and US blues guitar maestros

Tue

11 July

Madeleine Peyroux + Athena

gates 6.30pm

With songs from ‘Careless Love’ with support from Athena

Wed-Sun

12-16 July

Larmer Tree Festival 2006

Larmer Tree Gardens

various

5 day festival near Salisbury featuring (Wed 12) Jools Holland, (Thu 13) Afro Celt Sound System and Kate Rusby, (Fri 14) Dreadzone, (Sat 15) Jazz Jamaica Motorcity Roots, Sambasunda (Sun 16) The Be Good Tanyas, Trilok Gurtu & the Misra Brothers, Bellowhead, Ska Cubano, Rajasthani Folk Musicians and Dance and Nuru Kane.

Thu

13 July

Oki Dub Ainu Band

8pm

Oki’s Dub Ainu Band played a memorable set during Charlie Gillett's live broadcast from last year's Womad. He returns tonight with his onkori led band.

Thu

13 July

Neuneuneu

7.30pm

A musical journey to the heart of the Amazon, featuring five musicians from the Mehinaku tribe (vocals and percussion), Marlui Miranda (vocals and guitar), Ravi (kora) and Martin Brunsden (double bass).

Fri

14 July

Asian Dub Foundation Soundsytem

8pm-1am

Distinctive hard ragga-jungle rhythms, indo-dub basslines, sitar-inspired guitars and 'traditional' sounds gleaned from their parents' record collections, shot through with fast-chat conscious lyrics.

Sat-Sun

15-16 July

Turkish Fest

noon-7pm

The music line-up includes the Turkish Golden Trombone, a group formed from the Turkish State Opera, Hakan, Group Tolerance, and Canan Turan with her group performing a mix of modern Turkish music. There are also performances from the Turkish Classical Chorus and the oriental sounds of Orient Expression DJs. Turkish Fest includes traditional folk dance and belly dance performances and a Turkish Bazaar along the riverside serving Turkish food and drink plus spices, textiles, music and crafts to bring the real Turkey to the banks of the Thames. At Bernie Spain Gardens (nr Oxo Tower Wharf) and along the South Bank riverside walkway SE1

Sat

15 July

Jean Abreu

8pm

Featuring live music, Brazilian Latin dance and capoeira, Raizes is a captivating and evocative journey into the heart of Brazilian culture. This new programme by Brazilian-born dancer and choreographer Jean Abreu explores the history and rituals of Brazilian dance, music and poetry from a contemporary perspective. Part of Rhythm Sticks 2006

Sun

16 July

Croydon Mela

Lloyd Park

various

free festival with Jaipur Kawa Brass Band (Rajasthani gypsies) and much more

Sun-Mon

16-17 July

Bo Diddley

doors 7pm

Bo started his career in the 50’s and his unmistakable beat is one of the bedrock rhythms of Rock & Roll, showing up in the work of many rock artists from Buddy Holly through to the Rolling Stones. His fuzzy guitar style expanded the instrument’s power & range as well as the distorted amplification he used to produce new sounds.

Mon

17 July

The Be Good Tanyas

7.30pm

Wonderful Canadian trio return with old time country, deep gospel, lonesome blues, early American folk and all kinds of mountain music.

Tue

18 July

Tony Allen - Lagos No Shaking

7.30pm

Drummer Tony Allen is one of Africa's greatest living musicians. His rhythms behind Fela Kuti's band in the 1960s created Afrobeat, a fierce rhythmic mutation of jazz, funk and African highlife. In 2006 Tony Allen made a triumphant returned with a classic album, Lagos No Shaking. It was a remarkable disc, recorded in ten hot, heavy nights in Lagos, and it pushes Afrobeat to new heights with its loose-limbed polyrhythms and ferocious grooves. Tonight Tony Allen and his band are joined by the legendary 78-year-old Nigerian singer Fatai Rolling Dollar, diva Yinka Davis, Yoruba soul singer Omololu and percussion master Yinka Ogunye. Congolese drummer Siemy Di of African Jazz Allstars fame opens the show with his Afro-funk band.

Wed

19 July

SambaSunda

7.30pm

SambaSunda are an irresistible 17-piece ensemble who bring together a pan-Indonesian array of instruments and influences to create a new-style gamelan orchestra where the sounds and grooves of bamboo and percussion dominate.

Fri

21 July

Daby Baldy

7pm

Daby Balde is one of Senegal's best kept secrets. His stunning arrangements are based on his Fula tradition from the south of the country featuring fiddle, accordian and flute alongside the more familar West African sounds of kora, acoustic guitar and percussion. Daby is a West African star on the rise. At 78 Bishopsgate.

Fri

21 July

Bacilos

doors 7pm

Grammy award winning band featuring Colombian singer / guitarist Jorge Vilamizar, bassist Andre Lopas from Brazil, and Puerto Rican percussionist Jose Javier Freire

Sat-Sun

22-23 July

Lovebox Weekender 2006

Victoria Park

various

Two day festival returns to Victoria Park in East London more details at www.loveboxweekender.com

Sat

22 July

Orient Express at Rhythm Sticks Festival

7.30pm

A night of Turkish rhythms, traditional and modern. With percussionist Numan Elyer, dancers and funky band. Plus Orient Express DJ set afterwards in the foyer.

Sun

23 July

Sergio Mendes

7.30pm

Brazilian legend Sergio Mendes returns to London. Radio One's Gilles Peterson will host a pre-show DJ set in the Barbican foyer

Sun

23 July

Faaji Drummers and Funmi Olawumi + Lekan Babalola

7.30pm

The ferocious 15-piece Faaji Drummers have worked with King Sunny Ade, King Wasiu Ayinde and Queen Salawa Abeni. Their name 'Faaji' is the Yoruba word for having a good time. Led by star vocalist Funmi Olawumi. Plus percussionist Lekan Babalola, who featured in the 2006 Grammy award-winning album with Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate, leads his seven-piece band.

Mon-Tue

24-25 July

Pharoah Sanders

doors 7pm

Avant-garde jazz saxophonist

Thu

27 July

Anoushka Shankar

doors 7pm

Making her Jazz Café debut, youngest ever Grammy Award nominee and sitar virtuoso

Thu

27 July

Tony Joe White

Mean Fiddler

7pm

From the swamplands of Louisiana with 'Polk Salad Annie' TJW was a guest of Charlie Gillett at the Barbican last year. Tonight he plays 165 Charing Cross Road.

Thu

27 July

Bayou Seco

Cecil Sharp House

7pm

Cajun, Tex Mex, norteño and chicken scratch

Thu-Sun

27-30 July

Cambridge Folk Festival

various

Featuring among many others, Amadou & Mariam, Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson, Bettye Lavette, Broken Family Band, Waking The Witch, The Chieftains, Nizlopi and Cerys Matthews

Fri

29 July

WOMAD Festival

WOMAD Reading

various

Day one of the three day festival with over 70 artists from 30 countries performing on seven outdoor and indoor stages. Confirmed so far Anoushka Shankar (India); Ayaan & Amaan Ali Khan (India); Bellowhead (UK); Dennis Rollins' Badbone & Co (UK); Gotan Project (France); Los De Abajo (Mexico); Mahotella Queens (South Africa); Salif Keita (Mali); Salsa Celtica (UK); Tiger Moth (UK); Värttinä (Finland); Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa); Warsaw Village Band (Poland), Trojan Sound System.

Sat

29 July

WOMAD Festival

WOMAD Reading

various

Day two includes Akli D (Algeria); Batucada Sound Machine (New Zealand/Brazil); Debashish Bhattacharya (India); Dona Rosa (Portugal); Enrique Morente (Spain); Femi Kuti & The Positive Force (Nigeria); Joji Hirota, Kenny Endo & John Kaizan Neptune (Japan/USA); K'Naan (Somalia/Canada); Marcelo D2 (Brazil); Nanci Griffith (USA); Dona Rosa (Portugal); Ska Cubano (UK/Cuba+); Sunshiners (Vanuatu); Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited (Zimbabwe); Toumani Diabate & Symmetric Orchestra (Mali); Trilok Gurtu & the Misra Brothers (India); Vusi Mahlasela (South Africa).

Sat

29 July

Buena Vista Social Club

Kenwood House

7.30pm

outdoor concert on Hampstead Heath

Sat

29 July

Gotan Project

doors 7pm

With tracks from the new album Lunatico

Sun

30 July

WOMAD Festival

WOMAD Reading

various

Final day of this year's Womad features sets from Angelique Kidjo (Benin); Calypso All Stars (Trinidad); Cherifa (Morocco); Coldcut (UK); Diana Hamilton (Bahamas); Dona Rosa (Portugal); Ivo Papasov & his Wedding Band (Bulgaria); Mastana, Qawwali du Rajasthan (India); Mitsoura (Hungary); Pascals (Japan); Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (USA); Spanish Harlem Orchestra (USA), DJ Normay Jay (UK)

Sun

30 July

Warsaw Village Band

8pm

Polish roots band return

Tue

1 Aug

Nanci Griffith

7.45pm

Singer, songwriter, guitarist plays 'new country'

Tue

1 Aug

Luciano

doors 7pm

Reggae spiritual voice

Thu-Fri

3-4 Aug

Cat Empire

7.45pm

Australian band who blend jazz, hip-hop, Cuban, reggae, and gypsy music

Fri-Sun

4-6 Aug

The Big Chill

Eastnor Castle

various

3 day festival at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire featuring Amadou & Mariam, Jose Gonzales + more see www.bigchill.net

Fri-Sun

4-6 Aug

Rhythm Festival

Twinwood Arena

various

3 day festival at Clapham near Bedford with Ike Turner & His Rhythm Kings, Donovan, Arlo Guthrie, Roy Harper, Desmond Dekker & The Aces, The Blues Band, Chas & Dave, John Otway, Jah Wobble, Hugh Cornwell, John Cooper Clarke, Cara Dillon + more see www.rhythmfestival.net

Thu

10 Aug

Chilli Fried North presents Arabanda

8pm-midnight

DJ Jamie Renton and Ilka plus a live set from Arabanda at 182 St John Street

Thu

10 Aug

Senor Coconut

doors 7pm

With tracks from Yellow Fever, 10 Latin-inspired takes on Yellow Magic Orchestra's greatest hits and obscurities

Fri

11 Aug

Susheela Raman

doors 7pm

Anglo / Indian vocalist and Mercury Music Prize nominee with songs from Music for Crocodiles

Sat

12 Aug

Whirl-y-Gig’s 25th Birthday

Jacks

9pm-late

DJ Monkey Pilot spins everything from heavy dub and funky beats, to tribal and tropical house, and uplifting global trance at 7-9 Crucifix Lane London Bridge

Sat

19 Aug

Tony Allen

doors 7pm

Legendary and inspirational Nigerian drummer formerly with Fela Kuti

Tue-Wed

22-23 Aug

Candi Staton

doors 7pm

With tracks from her wonderful album His Hands

Thu

24 Aug

Culture

doors 7pm

Influential reggae band return

Thu

7 Sep

Antonio Forcione

doors 7pm

Italian-born acoustic guitarist

Sun

10 Sep

Alton Ellis

doors 7pm

The undisputed King of Rock Steady

Thu

14 Sep

Terry Reid

Dingwalls

7.30pm

First of two nights (2nd on 24 Sept) from rock 'n' soul singer known as 'Superlungs'

Fri

22 Sep

Silvio Rodriguez

7.30pm

The Godfather of the Cuban Nueva Trova movement performs with his band. Known for eloquent symbolic and questioning lyrics, his songs are anthems across Latin America. Nueva Trova are protest songs that incorporate Cuban traditional and popular music with jazz, rock and classical music.

Mon

25 Sep

Marisa Monte

7.30pm

Brazilian singer plays her first British date since Tribalistas made her a global star

Thu

28 Sep

Thea Gilmore

Koko

7.30pm-11pm

UK singer-songwriter launching new album 'Harpo's Ghost'

Thu

28 Sep

Terry Reid

Dingwalls

7.30pm

Second of two nights from rock 'n' soul singer known as 'Superlungs'

Sun

1 Oct

A Night in New Orleans

7.45pm

The Ken Colyer Legacy New Orleans Jazz Band plus special guests.

Fri

6 Oct

Lyle Lovett

Royal Albert Hall

7.45pm

Texan singer-songwriter who back in the mid-1980s, was at the vanguard of a new school of songwriting in Nashville. While typically associated with the country genre, Lyle Lovett's albums typically incorporate folk, swing, blues, jazz and gospel music as well as more traditional country styling.

Wed-Sun

25-29 Oct

WOMEX

Sevilla Spain

various

World music industry fair - more details from www.womex.com

Thu

2 Nov

Madredeus

7.30pm

Modern and hynotic take on the Portuguese fado sound

Fri-Sat

10-11 Nov

Lucinda Williams

doors 7pm

Country rock and blues from influential American singer-songwriter, with rearranged dates

Fri-Sat

10-11 Nov

Nicola Conte Jazz Combo

doors 7pm

Leading man of the new wave of Jazz Bossa Nova from Italy plays exclusive shows with full live band

Fri-Sun

10-19 Nov

London Jazz Festival

various

LJF returns with the Barbican hosting major concerts with star names and a full freestage programme

Mon-Wed

13-15 Nov

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

doors 7pm

World's hottest salsa band + DJ Snowboy

Sun

12 Nov

Bob Brozman

Half Moon Putney

8.30pm

world renowned guitarist

Sun

26 Nov

Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings