The US guitarist talks to Daniel Spicer about his artificially enhanced Cuban troupe, learning under Haiti’s Frantz Casseus, playing to Susana Baca’s dance moves and why he prefers Caetano Veloso on record
One of the most in-demand oud players of his generation, Jo Frost discovers an artist whose musical curiosity shows no signs of abating
Mark Sampson speaks to the Brazilian singer, guitarist and composer whose varied endeavours reveal an artist always looking for a challenge
Jeff Kaliss charts the 50-plus years and many global collaborations of the string quartet, who have just said farewell to two of their longest-serving members
A South African pianist who navigated the trauma and difficulties of apartheid while always staying close to home. Nigel Williamson documents a remarkable, boundless career… that’s not over yet
Fiona Talkington unpacks the harmonica quartet’s trajectory, from the mind of Finland’s first mouth-harp graduate to an internationally acclaimed troupe with a repertoire ranging from Radiohead and Harry Potter to tango and Chopin
Jameela Siddiqi celebrates the legacy of the first qawwali group to find fame and send devotees into spiritual ecstasy around the world
A one-man tropical orchestra generator, there can be few musicians who have left a bigger imprint on their country’s music than Fruko. Silvia Rothlisberger tracks down the Colombian bandleader
Celebrating the innovative, multi-faceted career of the British singer-songwriter and percussive dance champion
Tim Cumming assembles an anatomy of melancholia as he speaks to Tyne and Wear’s finest folk-singing sisters about their career and catalogue
Nigel Williamson charts the career of the genre-defying sitarist, from her Indian classical beginnings to her star-studded cross-cultural fusions
Hark to this parcel of rogues, as we place the career of these ever-evolving English folk-rock icons under the microscope
Jo Frost takes a look at the impressive career of Le Vent du Nord, Québec’s finest musical ambassadors
The Brooklyn-based Afrobeat emissaries Antibalas have developed their own post-modern take on Fela Kuti’s legacy
Fiona Talkington looks back over the impressive career of one of Norway’s most celebrated fiddlers and gets a glimpse of where she’s going next
From fandangos to the silver screen, Kary Stewart outlines the evolution of the traditional folk style from Veracruz, Mexico with a record of resistance
The Scottish musician has become one of the most lauded names on the European folk scene. Tim Cumming follows Polwart’s career from her trad band origins to the award-winning singer-songwriter we know today
Rob Adams examines the extensive career of the acclaimed French double bassist, who has been influential in taking the instrument to its sonic limits
One of British folk music’s most influential figures is marking his 80th birthday. Julian May delves into his prolific and remarkable recordings
Fanfare Ciocărlia are the planet’s foremost Balkan brass band, soundtracking Guinness and Ikea ads, covered and copied, remixed and sampled, winning international awards and, night after night, taking their furious brass blast to the stage
Simon Broughton surveys the impressive career and beguiling back catalogue of the classical Azeri singer Alim Qasimov, including his extensive collaborations with his daughter Fargana Qasimova
The perfect introduction to Fela Kuti – a true original: "Never have life, politics, art and music been so inextricably linked together in one incendiary, insurrectionary and highly danceable package"
The Malian singer-songwriter Habib Koité is also one of his country’s leading guitarists. Daniel Brown reflects on the artist’s recordings and career to date
Simultaneously innovating and upholding the traditions of the ngoni, Bassekou Kouyaté is a name synonymous with his instrument’s modern sound. Nigel Williamson rounds up his sparkling career
Madagascar’s leading player of the bamboo tube zither, otherwise known as the valiha, has come a long way from coping with an early disability to touring international concert halls. Daniel Brown retells Rajery’s journey
One of Iran’s leading female singers has become world famous with her myriad collaborations. Laudan Nooshin pinpoints some of her career highlights to date
The Irish supergroup have long been the benchmark for traditional music. Michael Quinn examines their impressive catalogue and achievements to date
Nearly 50 years a¤er his death, Víctor Jara’s songs continue to inspire idealism across Latin America. Chris Moss recalls Chile’s pre-eminent protest singer
Pleasure, pain and poetry – the ‘Queen of Fado’ gave Portugal its soundtrack during a turbulent 20th century. Chris Moss looks back over Amália’s career
The polymath German instrumentalist has an impressive back catalogue. Simon Broughton examines his wealth of recordings to date
Once the wunderkind of the English folk scene, Jim Moray’s sound has matured and coalesced over his career. Tim Cumming dives into his catalogue
Oliver Craske profiles the man who adapted a folk instrument – the santoor – into a vehicle for Indian classical music
Jo Setters examines the career of the visionary French multi-instrumentalist who has been experimenting for over 30 years
Mary Farquharson marvels at the career of the much-loved former Buena Vista Social Club musician who is still highly influential today
Tim Woodall examines the career of the remarkable Finnish string group
The Mancunian Irish flute and whistles player’s output is as prolific as it is varied. Dave McNally considers the career of this unstoppable musician
The Irish button accordionist from County Clare is known for her genre-crossing collaborations, taking traditional Irish music to places it’s never been before. Michael Quinn looks back over her impressive career
Punch Brothers have been pushing the boundaries of bluegrass for over a decade and show no signs of stopping. Alexandra Petropoulos tells their story
Nathaniel Handy looks back at the humble beginnings of the Devonshire folk duo who are now at the forefront of the British folk scene
A leading light in the Scottish Gaelic music scene, the singer is also a tireless collaborator, as Nathaniel Handy finds out as he looks back over her career
If there was one sound emblematic of Armenia it would be the duduk. Simon Broughton appraises the career of the instrument’s most famous exponent who has just turned 90
The kora has become almost synonymous with the music of Mali. Nigel Williamson examines the career of its chief exponent Toumani Diabaté
Garth Cartwright marvels at the long-lasting appeal of the Senegalese band
Nigel Williamson looks back at the enduring global popularity of the Irish musical ambassadors
Jameela Siddiqi introduces Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the Pakistani Pavarotti, populariser of the qawwali tradition
Tim Cumming delves into the history and mystical appeal of the Moroccan musicians from Jajouka
Nigel Williamson takes a look at the rise to global fame and fortune of West Africa’s golden couple
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