See video and pictures from our incredible night at the Heartland Cafe in Chicago!
Bluegrass Ambassadors Podcast, Ep. 02: Rwanda, Love and Tradition
This month you'll meet Deo Munyakazi and hear the ancient tones of the Rwandan Inanga. Deo jammed with us at the University of Rwanda back in 2014 and we've never been able to shake how wonderful he is as a musician and a person. His outlook on life and music is infectious and his recordings are otherworldly.
Direct Links:
Itunes - Google Play - Soundcloud - Stitcher
(Note: The Google Play link should update within the next day or so. Soundcloud will work easily until then.)
Inangas range from 6 to 9 strings and are typically tuned to the pentatonic scale. Deo is a true master of an instrument that very few people play. He strives quite successfully to keep it relevant by playing both traditional songs and adding it to more modern African hip hop. Check out the podcast for several beautiful examples.
Right: Deo working his magic on the Inanga.
Deo and his Grandmother in her village outside of Kigali.
This song is incredible.
New Field Elementary - Rogers Park
Bluegrass Ambassadors Podcast, Ep. 01: Bringing Doc Watson to Dubai
Episode 1 is an interview with Dubai based performer Vijit Malik, an accomplished musician, as well as a lover of the Grateful Dead, Hindustani, and bluegrass music. Vijit talks about his experience growing up in New Delhi, the connections between Indian and some American musics and what it's like to perform in a country where 'popular' music may not be as common as it is in other parts of the world.
A Proud Mining Town Welcomes the Henhouse Prowlers
The Prowlers were able to stop into the small mining town of Hanna, Wyoming this week and do two full days of Bluegrass Ambassadors programming, culminating in a collaborative performance in front of the students, their parents and members of the community. We'd like to extend a huge thanks to the HES principal Mark Shipp, the IBMA Foundation, Deering Banjo's and the Platte Valley Arts Council for making it possible!
Bluegrass Today Article on Bluegrass Ambassadors
Thanks to the folks at Bluegrass Today for the shout-out on our programming in Switzerland! Read the full piece here.
Bluegrass Ambassadors in Switzerland: Teaching French + Swiss German
An interview with German folk singer-songwriter David Lübke
Bluegrass Ambassadors visit Munich
The curiosity was palpable and there were moments where it felt like we were giving them a sense of both the music and the actual culture of America. Many of the students had never been to the US and asked questions about everything from politics to what schools were like on our side of the Atlantic.
