Europe In Union: European Roots Musicians

08/16/2003 01:00AM

London, England - Europe In Union is a new co-operation between some of the UK's best known world music activists. It's a groundbreaking series of monthly concerts at the Union Chapel in Islington, showcasing innovative European roots musicians. Supporting them will be some of  the best UK-based artists from the different cultural communities, as highlighted by Radio 3's online World On Your Street project. All the concerts will be recorded by BBC Radio 3 for later broadcast in World Routes, Late Junction or the Andy Kershaw program. The artists will be the guests of Charlie Gillett on BBC London 94.9 the night before their gig.

The organizing team are fRoots Magazine in association with BBC Radio 3, Charlie Gillett, promoters Serious, KAPA Productions, the Union Chapel, World On Your Street, Banners On The Hill and others. Europe in Union is grant funded by the Arts Council England. Doors open at 7.30 p.m. All concerts commence at 8.00 p.m.
Tickets are available from www.frootsmag.com or 020 8340 9651. £12 per concert or first 3 concerts for £30.

In a press release one of the organizers said about the series: "There's no doubt that Europe has become the hot new focus in world music, a particularly fertile breeding ground for contemporary roots musicians developing new approaches to traditions. Strangely though, many of these artists have had little opportunity for live exposure in the UK compared to African, Latin or Asian names. Although their CDs get aired by the BBC's world music programs and enthusiastically featured and reviewed in the pages of fRoots magazine, they tend to play here rarely outside of festivals. But things are about to change."

Concert schedule:

Sunday, September 21st:

EUGENIO BENNATO & TARANTA POWER From southern Italy, mixing the wild sound of the traditional tarantella with modern pan-Mediterranean influences. Hear the title track of their latest album Che Il Mediterraneo Sia on Charlie Gillett's new World 2003 compilation. Interview at  http://www.frootsmag.com/content/features/bennato/ + MODESTE HUGUES
Masterful guitarist/ singer from southern Madagascar
 
Sunday, October 19th

KRISTI STASSINOPOULOU From Greece, Kristi and her musicians produce a totally mesmerising blend of Greek traditional music with rock and electronica. Her latest album The Secrets Of The Rocks topped the European World Music charts for several months this year, and has just been released in the UK by Wrasse Records. Interview at http://www.frootsmag.com/content/features/kristi-stass/ + LITTLE GEORGE SUEREF
Gripping 1950s-style blues, great voice, harmonica, guitar. And Greek parents!
 
Sunday, November 16th

OJOS DE BRUJO From Barcelona, putting a hip-hop spin on flamenco. One of the hottest new bands on the European circuit, their sensational spot at last year's Womex gained them a nomination in the Radio 3 Awards for World Music. Their latest album is Bari. They also have a track on Charlie Gillett's World 2003 and they were one of the biggest hits of this year's WOMAD festival. Interview at http://www.frootsmag.com/content/features/ojos-de-brujo + ABDULLAH CHHADEH & NARA
Syrian virtuoso of the qanun zither, with his innovative group. (This concert will be part of the London Jazz Festival)

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20030815195336903