World Music season at Anvil Arts

A virtuoso qanun player, Maya Youssef's approach to playing the qanun, a traditional Syrian 78 stringed plucked zither, has brought comparisons with Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menhuin. She combines her extraordinary musical gifts with a generosity of outlook, warmth, humour and optimism.

The Omar Puente Quartet perform in The Forge on Thursday 8 June. Internationally renowned Cuban violinist Omar Puente is undertaking his first ever UK tour as band leader to promote his critically acclaimed new CD Best Foot Forward. Listen carefully and you will hear a fusion of rhythms from Cuba, Brazil, Africa, Caribbean, jazz, and modern UK sounds.

The Juan Martín Flamenco Trio perform at The Haymarket the following evening, 9 June. Juan Martín is a truly awe-inspiring guitarist and composer. He returns to the UK with a new flamenco programme of music, song and dance which features the 18 year old flamenco dance star from Cádiz, Raquel Gonzalez, and the extraordinary singer Antonio Aparecida. Gonzalez’s tremendous footwork, the passion of Aparecida’s voice and the unmistakable poetry and emotion of one of the world’s leading guitarists make for a performance not to be missed.

In The Forge on Friday 16 June is guitarist Derek Gripper whose guitar playing has to be heard to be believed. Having fallen in love with the rich and ancient repertoire of the West African kora, he has worked out a way of transferring its 21-string music to the six-string guitar. The results have stunned and delighted such kora greats as Toumani Diabate and Ballake Sissoko as well as guitarists around the world.

Tunde Jegede is a 21st century Renaissance man who bridges African and European musical traditions. He is an internationally renowned kora player, cellist and composer, whose soul-stirring music blends the ebb and flow of traditional kora-playing with his own dynamic compositions. In this solo concert in The Forge on Tuesday 27 June, Jegede brings his rich musical legacies and sound worlds to life, taking you on a journey to the heart of Malian griot culture.

The AKA Trio - Antonio Forcione, Seckou Keita and Adriano Adewale - are three musicians all at the top of their game with acclaimed solo careers. Forcione from Italy is one of the great acoustic guitarists and globally respected for his compositions; Keita from Senegal is one of the world’s most respected kora players; Adewale is a composer/percussionist from Brazil whose natural charisma equals his originality. Together as AKA Trio they treat audiences to a powerful and dynamic show of wit, personality and musical virtuosity. At The Haymarket on Thursday 29 June, don’t miss this high-octane collaboration.

For more information on the world music season at Anvil Arts, call the box office on 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk.