January 26-February 1, 2006 musicpicks Julia Sarr and Patrice Larose Mary Armstrong World Her voice is exceptionally sweet and caressing, his guitar a mix of Iberian and jazz. The combined sound of Julia Sarr and Patrice Larose is so inviting…

October 20-26, 2005 music OPEN TUNING: “For some people it works best to focus on one thing and really go deep into it,” says Ansill. “I’m always more excited to see where the connections are.” Photo By: Michael T. Regan…

January 27-February 2, 2005 musicpicks Jaffna World “We’re like the Ramones of world music,” says Roger Mgrdichian of his veteran quartet Jaffna, which blends Middle Eastern and Indian musical traditions into something unique. He also plays oud (a Middle Eastern…

January 13-19, 2005 music Music Is a Passport THE PIPES ARE CALLING: “In my late teens, I ended up in with a bunch of musicians with university degrees,” says Paddy Keenan. “I was much more accepted by those people than…

January 6-12, 2005 musicpicks Margot Leverett by Mary Armstrong FOLK/KLEZMER This Sunday is the Philly debut for Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys, but it won’t be the first time their music has been on a Philly stage. Music…

December 9-16, 2004 music It Takes a Village THE CHORUS LINE: (clockwise from top left) Yelena Forrester, Sibelan Forrester, Mary Kalyna, Anne Ehrhart, Kimberly Fedchak, Laura Howson and Leela Ehrhart of Svitanya. The seven women in this Swarthmore choir unite…

June 10-16, 2004 musicpicks Jody Williams by Mary Armstrong blues “I’m a long way from being a millionaire, but my memories are worth millions!” says Jody Williams. “Folks can see I’m having a good time. I hope that’ll rub off…

March 11-17, 2004 music Skin Tones Drum major: “Spoken Hand lets us have tradition outside and creativity inside,” says Daryl Kwasi Burgee. Spoken Hand beats the drum for unity. by Mary Armstrong Look for glints of light reflected by shards…

February 26-March 3, 2004 music Peace to Start Apartheid is over, but Joseph Shabalala says Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s work isn’t. by Mary Armstrong world “Sometimes it is hard to believe it has been 10 years already,” muses Joseph Shabalala on…