MUSIC FROM AFRICA, ASIA, EUROPE, the MIDDLE EAST & the AMERICAS
Robert & Helene Browning celebrate 42+ years of presenting world music & dance!
"the entrepreneur who almost single-handedly created and filled New Yorkers' passion for world music"
-The New York Times
"Their work set in motion nothing less than a seismic shift in the cultural terrain of New York City and beyond."
-The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage's American Impresario series
WELCOME TO OUR 2018/19 SEASON! (more to be added when funds are available!)
Dear Friends and Patrons,
We'd like to thank you all for your support over the past 4 years. Your contributions as donors and patrons are invaluable in enabling us to continue to present many of the world's finest traditional artists.
We begin our 2018/19 season a little earlier than usual. We apologize for the brevity of our fall season - cuts in grants have necessitated this. We will be booking more concerts for Spring 2019 when we have a better idea of what funding is available.
These are difficult times for the arts, in particular for organizations that present international artists. Not only are the sources of government support threatened, but the stakes have been raised to an all-time high for bringing artists from abroad, particularly from predominantly Muslim countries.
Robert & Helene Browning
DONATE
You can help us by making a tax-deductible contribution to Roulette, our not-for-profit partner. Don't forget to specify in the Special Notes box that your donation is to support RBA programming.
If you prefer to send a check please send to: Jim Staley, Director Roulette Intermedium, Inc., 228 West Broadway, FL 2, New York, NY 10013-2456.
Dear Friends and Patrons,
We'd like to thank you all for your support over the past 4 years. Your contributions as donors and patrons are invaluable in enabling us to continue to present many of the world's finest traditional artists.
We begin our 2018/19 season a little earlier than usual. We apologize for the brevity of our fall season - cuts in grants have necessitated this. We will be booking more concerts for Spring 2019 when we have a better idea of what funding is available.
These are difficult times for the arts, in particular for organizations that present international artists. Not only are the sources of government support threatened, but the stakes have been raised to an all-time high for bringing artists from abroad, particularly from predominantly Muslim countries.
Robert & Helene Browning
DONATE
You can help us by making a tax-deductible contribution to Roulette, our not-for-profit partner. Don't forget to specify in the Special Notes box that your donation is to support RBA programming.
If you prefer to send a check please send to: Jim Staley, Director Roulette Intermedium, Inc., 228 West Broadway, FL 2, New York, NY 10013-2456.
2018-19 SEASON
5th Annual A World in Trance Festival
A World in Trance, now in its fifth edition, has been host to some of the world’s most captivating music, bringing people together in search of enlightenment and spirituality.
Robert Browning Associates presents
Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 8:00pm
DEREK GRIPPER: HYPNOTIC STRINGS OF AFRICA
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Derek Gripper’s exploration of Mali’s greatest instrumental virtuosos has created a new form of classical guitar music out of one of Africa’s richest musical traditions. Derek, a master guitarist from South Africa, magically conjures anew a centuries-old ancient African musical heritage... MORE INFO
Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 8:00pm
DEREK GRIPPER: HYPNOTIC STRINGS OF AFRICA
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Derek Gripper’s exploration of Mali’s greatest instrumental virtuosos has created a new form of classical guitar music out of one of Africa’s richest musical traditions. Derek, a master guitarist from South Africa, magically conjures anew a centuries-old ancient African musical heritage... MORE INFO
Robert Browning Associates presents
Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8:00pm
JAKOUKA MEETS NEW YORK: BACHIR & MUSTAPHA ATTAR (of the Master Musicians of Jajouka) with NED ROTHENBERG, ARRINGTON DE DIONYSIO & BEN BENNETT
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Inspired by the intoxicating sounds of the legendary Master Musicians of Jakouka, this ensemble of musicians from both sides of the Atlantic – Morocco and the US - explore the potential for sound to trigger a state of ecstasy.... MORE INFO
Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 8:00pm
JAKOUKA MEETS NEW YORK: BACHIR & MUSTAPHA ATTAR (of the Master Musicians of Jajouka) with NED ROTHENBERG, ARRINGTON DE DIONYSIO & BEN BENNETT
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Inspired by the intoxicating sounds of the legendary Master Musicians of Jakouka, this ensemble of musicians from both sides of the Atlantic – Morocco and the US - explore the potential for sound to trigger a state of ecstasy.... MORE INFO
Robert Browning Associates presents
Friday, April 12, 2019 at 8:00pm
JAYANTHI KUMARESH: INVOKING THE GODDESS SARASWATI
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Jayanthi Kumaresh, one of India’s foremost veena (lute) players, has captivated audiences around the world for over three decades with her entrancing performances. A sixth generation musician and niece of the legendary violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman, she began playing the veena at the age of three. Blending the traditional and innovative, Jayanthi seeks to express the true voice of the veena,... MORE INFO
Friday, April 12, 2019 at 8:00pm
JAYANTHI KUMARESH: INVOKING THE GODDESS SARASWATI
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Jayanthi Kumaresh, one of India’s foremost veena (lute) players, has captivated audiences around the world for over three decades with her entrancing performances. A sixth generation musician and niece of the legendary violinist Lalgudi Jayaraman, she began playing the veena at the age of three. Blending the traditional and innovative, Jayanthi seeks to express the true voice of the veena,... MORE INFO
PNCA Pakistan National Council of Arts
Robert Browning Associates presents
Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 8:00pm
HAMZA AKRAM QAWWAL & BROTHERS: SUFI CHANTS OF PAKISTAN
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Pakistan’s Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, grandsons of the revered Munshi Raziuddin, have been acclaimed for their riveting interpretations of qawwali, the ecstatic improvisational Sufi vocal tradition made famous in the West by the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This award-winning ensemble represents the 26th generation of the seven centuries-old Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana of Delhi... MORE INFO
Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 8:00pm
HAMZA AKRAM QAWWAL & BROTHERS: SUFI CHANTS OF PAKISTAN
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Pakistan’s Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, grandsons of the revered Munshi Raziuddin, have been acclaimed for their riveting interpretations of qawwali, the ecstatic improvisational Sufi vocal tradition made famous in the West by the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This award-winning ensemble represents the 26th generation of the seven centuries-old Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana of Delhi... MORE INFO
WORLD VIEWS
Photo by Larry Eagle
Carnegie Hall in partnership with Robert Browning Associates presents
Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 7:00pm
ANDY STATMAN TRIO
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
Master clarinetist and mandolinist Andy Statman has been a major figure in both Jewish music and bluegrass for more than four decades. After studying with the legendary Dave Tarras in the 1970s, he became highly influential in the klezmer revival movement. MORE INFO
Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 7:00pm
ANDY STATMAN TRIO
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
Master clarinetist and mandolinist Andy Statman has been a major figure in both Jewish music and bluegrass for more than four decades. After studying with the legendary Dave Tarras in the 1970s, he became highly influential in the klezmer revival movement. MORE INFO
Photo by Rich Gilligan
Carnegie Hall in partnership with Robert Browning Associates presents
Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 8:30pm
THE GLOAMING
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
The Gloaming, an Irish supergroup formed in 2011, embodies the soul and history of Irish/Celtic music. Incorporating elements of jazz and contemporary music while remaining true to a lasting tradition, the group brings a freshness and vitality to traditional Irish music that defies labeling. MORE INFO
Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 8:30pm
THE GLOAMING
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
The Gloaming, an Irish supergroup formed in 2011, embodies the soul and history of Irish/Celtic music. Incorporating elements of jazz and contemporary music while remaining true to a lasting tradition, the group brings a freshness and vitality to traditional Irish music that defies labeling. MORE INFO
PAST CONCERTS THIS SEASON
Arab American Arts Institute & Robert Browning Associates present
Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 7:30pm
SONIA M’BAREK & SIMON SHAHEEN with QANTARA
Songs from Cairo to Tunis
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center
129 W. 67th Street (betw Broadway & Amsterdam Ave.), NYC (tel 212-501-3330)
In this fascinating program, classical vocal and instrumental works by Egyptian, Syrian, and Tunisian composers, as well as original pieces, will be performed by two leading artists in the Arab world... MORE INFO
Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 7:30pm
SONIA M’BAREK & SIMON SHAHEEN with QANTARA
Songs from Cairo to Tunis
Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center
129 W. 67th Street (betw Broadway & Amsterdam Ave.), NYC (tel 212-501-3330)
In this fascinating program, classical vocal and instrumental works by Egyptian, Syrian, and Tunisian composers, as well as original pieces, will be performed by two leading artists in the Arab world... MORE INFO
Photo by Nada Elissa
Robert Browning Associates & Roulette present
Friday, September 21, 2018 at 8:00pm
MOHAMED ABOZEKRY & KARKADÉ
Popular, Sufi & Classical Music of Egypt
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Mohamed Abozekry, an oud (lute) master still in his mid-20s, brilliantly explores three Egyptian musical influences: classical Arabic music, Sufi music of northern Egypt, and music popular along the Nile River. With Karkadé, his new project that he is bringing to the US for the first time... MORE INFO
Friday, September 21, 2018 at 8:00pm
MOHAMED ABOZEKRY & KARKADÉ
Popular, Sufi & Classical Music of Egypt
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
Mohamed Abozekry, an oud (lute) master still in his mid-20s, brilliantly explores three Egyptian musical influences: classical Arabic music, Sufi music of northern Egypt, and music popular along the Nile River. With Karkadé, his new project that he is bringing to the US for the first time... MORE INFO
Robert Browning Associates & Roulette present
Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 8:00pm
MITA NAG, HASSAN HAIDER & SUBHEN CHATTERJEE
Classical Music of India
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
This special concert brings together three outstanding performers of Indian music and provides an opportunity to hear the shehnai (oboe), an instrument rarely heard in the Indian classical repertoire today. The trio of shehnai, sitar (lute) and tabla (drums) will be featured together throughout the concert. Mita Nag, a master of improvisation, represents the sixth generation of sitar players in her family.... MORE INFO
Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 8:00pm
MITA NAG, HASSAN HAIDER & SUBHEN CHATTERJEE
Classical Music of India
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (tel. 917-267-0363)
This special concert brings together three outstanding performers of Indian music and provides an opportunity to hear the shehnai (oboe), an instrument rarely heard in the Indian classical repertoire today. The trio of shehnai, sitar (lute) and tabla (drums) will be featured together throughout the concert. Mita Nag, a master of improvisation, represents the sixth generation of sitar players in her family.... MORE INFO
Schimmel Center at Pace University presents
Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 7:30pm
L. SHANKAR
Indian Classical Music
Schimmel Center at Pace University, 3 Spruce St (betw Park Row & Gold St.), NYC
L. Shankar (aka Shenkar) is a virtuoso violinist and vocalist renowned for his deeply soulful performances of Indian classical music. Since playing his first solo concert at the age of seven, he has gone on to accompany many of South India’s leading vocalists and become a major soloist... MORE INFO
Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 7:30pm
L. SHANKAR
Indian Classical Music
Schimmel Center at Pace University, 3 Spruce St (betw Park Row & Gold St.), NYC
L. Shankar (aka Shenkar) is a virtuoso violinist and vocalist renowned for his deeply soulful performances of Indian classical music. Since playing his first solo concert at the age of seven, he has gone on to accompany many of South India’s leading vocalists and become a major soloist... MORE INFO
Photo by Thomas Dorn
Carnegie Hall in partnership with Robert Browning Associates presents
Saturday, November 17, 2018 8:30 PM
STELIOS PETRAKIS CRETAN QUARTET
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
Led by lyra (fiddle) virtuoso Stelios Petrakis, the quartet performs the spirited and often hypnotic dance music and epic songs and laments of Crete. Played on traditional fiddles, lutes, and bagpipes, their repertoire includes arrangements of traditional pieces and new compositions. MORE INFO
Saturday, November 17, 2018 8:30 PM
STELIOS PETRAKIS CRETAN QUARTET
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
57th Street & 7th Avenue, NYC
Led by lyra (fiddle) virtuoso Stelios Petrakis, the quartet performs the spirited and often hypnotic dance music and epic songs and laments of Crete. Played on traditional fiddles, lutes, and bagpipes, their repertoire includes arrangements of traditional pieces and new compositions. MORE INFO