Afropop Worldwide Folgen

Matanzas, Cuba has long been regarded as the source (la fuente) of many rich Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions. These ceremonial and secular Afro-Cuban musics are, for the most part, alive and well, and being documented for the first time by Matanceros themselves, rather than exclusively by Havana-based or non-Cuban imprints. The Matanzas record label and artist collective, Sendero Music/El Almacén, faces several challenges: oversight from the state, limited access to resources, curating which groups to record while paradoxically convincing the folkloric community of the value of their endeavors, and the conundrum of establishing meaningful connections outside of Cuba to disseminate the city’s music to the world. Produced by Harris Eisenstadt.

Jazz legend, Randy Weston left us on September 1, 2018. He more than any contemporary jazz artist understood, honored and explored the roots of American music in Africa. He lived there, traveled there often, and spoke of his connections to his African ancestors in every interview during his 92 years. In this program, we revisit our musical conversation with Weston in 1998, and sample some of his late solo piano recordings. [APWW #789]

In 2008, before Sudan became two separate countries, Afropop explored the country’s troubled history through music. After all, Sudan was once a musical powerhouse in East Africa, producing richly swinging orchestral pop. In recent years, much has changed. Sudan is now two countries, still troubled, but still inheritors of great musical traditions. In this program we revisit and update Sudan’s musical history, including recently released gems from a remarkable musical past, and new sounds from the Sudanese diaspora. [APWW #788]