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Robert and Helene Browning celebrate 46 years of presenting world music & dance. "Their work set into motion nothing less than a seismic shift in the cultural terrain of New York City and beyond. " - The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage |
Support RBA by making a tax-deductible contribution to Roulette, our not-for-profit partner. Be sure to specify in the Donation Notes box that your donation is to support RBA programming. Or, you may send a check to: Jim Staley, Director Roulette Intermedium, Inc., 228 West Broadway, FL 2 NY, NY 10013-2456 |
SPRING 2023 SEASON
Photo by Evan Browning
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Nibal Malshi
Women in the Golden Age of Arab Music
Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 8:00 pm
This captivating program of Middle Eastern songs features the return visit of the exquisite Palestinian singer Nibal Malshi, who has been noted for her evocative vocals. She will be accompanied by an ensemble featuring Gabriel Dahrieh (violin), Maurice Chedid ('ud), John Murchison (bass), Gilbert Mansour (percussion), and Eddy Fadel (percussion). MORE INFO...
Nibal Malshi
Women in the Golden Age of Arab Music
Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 8:00 pm
This captivating program of Middle Eastern songs features the return visit of the exquisite Palestinian singer Nibal Malshi, who has been noted for her evocative vocals. She will be accompanied by an ensemble featuring Gabriel Dahrieh (violin), Maurice Chedid ('ud), John Murchison (bass), Gilbert Mansour (percussion), and Eddy Fadel (percussion). MORE INFO...
Manuel Naranjo
Robert Browning Associates and Roulette present in partnership with New York Flamenco Festival
Rafael Riqueni
Flamenco Guitar Master
Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Rafael Riqueni, from the Triana neighborhood of Seville, has been acclaimed as one of the greatest masters of flamenco guitar. At the age of 12, he gave his first performances as a soloist, and, at 14, he won the two main national guitar awards MORE INFO...
Rafael Riqueni
Flamenco Guitar Master
Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Rafael Riqueni, from the Triana neighborhood of Seville, has been acclaimed as one of the greatest masters of flamenco guitar. At the age of 12, he gave his first performances as a soloist, and, at 14, he won the two main national guitar awards MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
gamin & ensemble
Korean Music & Beyond
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 8:00 pm
This entrancing program of traditional Korean music (rooted in shamanic rituals and agrarian life) and contemporary music influenced by Korean culture is led by the engaging multi-instrumentalist gamin (piri -double-reed oboe, saenghwang - mouth organ, and taepyungso – double-reed horn). Her extensive credits include being a principal player at the National Gugak Orchestra for a decade, performing in the Silk Road concert with Yo-Yo Ma in Seoul, and touring the world. MORE INFO...
gamin & ensemble
Korean Music & Beyond
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 8:00 pm
This entrancing program of traditional Korean music (rooted in shamanic rituals and agrarian life) and contemporary music influenced by Korean culture is led by the engaging multi-instrumentalist gamin (piri -double-reed oboe, saenghwang - mouth organ, and taepyungso – double-reed horn). Her extensive credits include being a principal player at the National Gugak Orchestra for a decade, performing in the Silk Road concert with Yo-Yo Ma in Seoul, and touring the world. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
Blues from Mali
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Bassekou Kouyate, from a long line of griots (storytellers/historians), is Mali’s legendary master of the ngoni, an ancient West African lute that is an ancestor of the banjo. Renowned for his innovations, he takes the ngoni into the 21st century and is credited with creating the first ensemble featuring ngonis of different sizes to provide the different ‘voices’ needed for the music. MORE INFO...
Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba
Blues from Mali
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Bassekou Kouyate, from a long line of griots (storytellers/historians), is Mali’s legendary master of the ngoni, an ancient West African lute that is an ancestor of the banjo. Renowned for his innovations, he takes the ngoni into the 21st century and is credited with creating the first ensemble featuring ngonis of different sizes to provide the different ‘voices’ needed for the music. MORE INFO...
©Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Sahba Motallebi
Persian Music
Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Sahba Motallebi is recognized internationally for her exquisite performances of Persian music on the tar and setar, lute-like stringed instruments central to one of the world’s great musical traditions. Known as the “Queen of the Tar” or "Jimi Hendrix, but on Tar," she has performed as a soloist and collaborated with such renowned artists as Hossein Alizadeh, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kayhan Kalhor. MORE INFO...
Sahba Motallebi
Persian Music
Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Sahba Motallebi is recognized internationally for her exquisite performances of Persian music on the tar and setar, lute-like stringed instruments central to one of the world’s great musical traditions. Known as the “Queen of the Tar” or "Jimi Hendrix, but on Tar," she has performed as a soloist and collaborated with such renowned artists as Hossein Alizadeh, Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Yo-Yo Ma, and Kayhan Kalhor. MORE INFO...
©Tom Ehrlich
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
OMAR SOSA & SECKOU KEITA
featuring GUSTAVO OVALLES
SUBA Revisited: Cuban/African Connections
Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Cuban piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and Senegalese kora (21-string harp lute) master Seckou Keita, whose collaborations brilliantly embrace jazz, Latin and African influences, return to New York revisiting their acclaimed SUBA album. SUBA is a hymn to hope, to a new dawn of compassion and change in a post-pandemic world, and a visceral reiteration of humanity’s prayer for peace and unity. MORE INFO...
OMAR SOSA & SECKOU KEITA
featuring GUSTAVO OVALLES
SUBA Revisited: Cuban/African Connections
Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Cuban piano virtuoso Omar Sosa and Senegalese kora (21-string harp lute) master Seckou Keita, whose collaborations brilliantly embrace jazz, Latin and African influences, return to New York revisiting their acclaimed SUBA album. SUBA is a hymn to hope, to a new dawn of compassion and change in a post-pandemic world, and a visceral reiteration of humanity’s prayer for peace and unity. MORE INFO...
PAST SHOWS - FALL 2022
Robert Browning Associates and Roulette present
Antonio Rey
Flamenco Guitar
Friday, September 23, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Latin Grammy-winner Antonio Rey is one of the top flamenco guitarists of his generation, dazzling audiences around the world with his soulful and powerful performances and compositions. Born in Madrid into a family of artists, he received various prestigious awards, including the “Premio Nacional de Guitarra.” Since beginning his musical career at the age of ten, he has worked with such renowned artists as dancers Antonio Canales, Joaquín Cortés and Farruquito, guitarists Paco de Lucia and Vicente Amigo, and singers Miguel Poveda, Diego el Cigala, and Estrella Morente. MORE INFO...
Antonio Rey
Flamenco Guitar
Friday, September 23, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Latin Grammy-winner Antonio Rey is one of the top flamenco guitarists of his generation, dazzling audiences around the world with his soulful and powerful performances and compositions. Born in Madrid into a family of artists, he received various prestigious awards, including the “Premio Nacional de Guitarra.” Since beginning his musical career at the age of ten, he has worked with such renowned artists as dancers Antonio Canales, Joaquín Cortés and Farruquito, guitarists Paco de Lucia and Vicente Amigo, and singers Miguel Poveda, Diego el Cigala, and Estrella Morente. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Homayoun Sakhi & Josh Feinberg
Afghanistan to India - A Sitar-Rubab Duet
Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Afghan rubab virtuoso Homayoun Sakhi and trail-blazing sitarist Josh Feinberg are joined by the young tabla prodigy Vivek Pandya in a program featuring contemporary takes on the traditional music of South Asia, Pashto and North Indian folk songs, and original compositions. This concert marks a rare NY appearance of Homayoun Sakhi, who has established a reputation as the outstanding Afghan rubab (skin-faced lute that is revered as the national instrument of Afghanistan) player of his generation. MORE INFO...
Homayoun Sakhi & Josh Feinberg
Afghanistan to India - A Sitar-Rubab Duet
Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Afghan rubab virtuoso Homayoun Sakhi and trail-blazing sitarist Josh Feinberg are joined by the young tabla prodigy Vivek Pandya in a program featuring contemporary takes on the traditional music of South Asia, Pashto and North Indian folk songs, and original compositions. This concert marks a rare NY appearance of Homayoun Sakhi, who has established a reputation as the outstanding Afghan rubab (skin-faced lute that is revered as the national instrument of Afghanistan) player of his generation. MORE INFO...
photo: JRodman
Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Robert Browning Associates presents
WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL:
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Dharma Swara (Balinese)
Trinayan Dance Collective (Odissi)
Jin Won of Pradhanica Music & Dance Company (Kathak)
Flamenco y Sol
Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 4:00 PM
This exciting dance festival, now in its seventh edition, is a celebration of rhythm in dance. Featured are Dharma Swara, a Balinese gamelan and dance group; the Trinayan Dance Collective, dedicated to the ancient Indian Odissi dance; Jin Won, a commanding dancer of classical Kathak dance of northern India; and Flamenco y Sol performing soulful and passionate flamenco. MORE INFO...
WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL:
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Dharma Swara (Balinese)
Trinayan Dance Collective (Odissi)
Jin Won of Pradhanica Music & Dance Company (Kathak)
Flamenco y Sol
Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 4:00 PM
This exciting dance festival, now in its seventh edition, is a celebration of rhythm in dance. Featured are Dharma Swara, a Balinese gamelan and dance group; the Trinayan Dance Collective, dedicated to the ancient Indian Odissi dance; Jin Won, a commanding dancer of classical Kathak dance of northern India; and Flamenco y Sol performing soulful and passionate flamenco. MORE INFO...
Photo: Brandon Kwae
Robert Browning Associates and Roulette present
Guillermina Quiroga Company
with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet
Argentine Tango
Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Famed Argentine dancer/choreographer Guillermina Quiroga, one of the world’s leading tango dancers, was described in the New York Times as “a beautiful dancer…elegant, dignified, commanding,” Her extensive credits include the mythical Tango Argentino and Forever Tango on Broadway, several films including Valentina’s Tango, and choreography for the 1998 Olympic ice dancing gold medalists. MORE INFO...
Guillermina Quiroga Company
with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet
Argentine Tango
Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Famed Argentine dancer/choreographer Guillermina Quiroga, one of the world’s leading tango dancers, was described in the New York Times as “a beautiful dancer…elegant, dignified, commanding,” Her extensive credits include the mythical Tango Argentino and Forever Tango on Broadway, several films including Valentina’s Tango, and choreography for the 1998 Olympic ice dancing gold medalists. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
NuAeen:
Mojgan Shajarian, Pejman Hadadi & Sourena Sefati
Persian Classical Music
Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
This entrancing concert brings together three brilliant musicians in the world of Persian music: the exquisite vocalist Mojgan Shajarian, daughter and disciple of the legendary Mohammed Reza Shajarian; Pejman Hadadi, one of the most innovative Iranian percussionists today; and santur (zither) virtuoso Sourena Sefati. Mojgan Shajarian performed with her father at major festivals and concert halls in Europe, North America and Australia, and studied setar (lute) with Mohammed Reza Lotfi and Hossein Alizadeh.. MORE INFO...
NuAeen:
Mojgan Shajarian, Pejman Hadadi & Sourena Sefati
Persian Classical Music
Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
This entrancing concert brings together three brilliant musicians in the world of Persian music: the exquisite vocalist Mojgan Shajarian, daughter and disciple of the legendary Mohammed Reza Shajarian; Pejman Hadadi, one of the most innovative Iranian percussionists today; and santur (zither) virtuoso Sourena Sefati. Mojgan Shajarian performed with her father at major festivals and concert halls in Europe, North America and Australia, and studied setar (lute) with Mohammed Reza Lotfi and Hossein Alizadeh.. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Layth Sidiq Ensemble
Maqam Mosaics
Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 8:00 pm
The extraordinary award-winning violinist/composer/educator Layth Sidiq brings together an outstanding ensemble of musicians in an eclectic program that highlights the beauty and diversity of the Arabic maqam (mode). The group, featuring Layth Sidiq (violin, vocal), Jacinta Clusellas (guitar), John Murchison (bass) and Jeremy Smith (percussion), will perform Layth’s original compositions as well as distinctive arrangements of beloved melodies from the Arab world. MORE INFO...
Layth Sidiq Ensemble
Maqam Mosaics
Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 8:00 pm
The extraordinary award-winning violinist/composer/educator Layth Sidiq brings together an outstanding ensemble of musicians in an eclectic program that highlights the beauty and diversity of the Arabic maqam (mode). The group, featuring Layth Sidiq (violin, vocal), Jacinta Clusellas (guitar), John Murchison (bass) and Jeremy Smith (percussion), will perform Layth’s original compositions as well as distinctive arrangements of beloved melodies from the Arab world. MORE INFO...
IN REMEMBRANCE:
Dennis Cahill • Mick Moloney
In recent weeks the world lost two celebrated people in traditional Irish music – Dennis Cahill and Mick Moloney, who both appeared at concerts we presented
photo: Derek Speirs
Dennis Cahill
June 16, 1954 – June 20, 2022
Dennis Cahill, born and raised in Chicago to parents from County Kerry, Ireland, was a renowned guitarist in the world of Irish traditional music, He was best known for his genre-defining duo with Irish fiddler Martin Hayes, with whom he toured the world and recorded three albums on Green Linnet Records. Their partnership ranked among the most memorable ones in Celtic music. A groundbreaking musician, Dennis took traditional Irish music in new directions, incorporating elements of classical music, blues and jazz.
“His beautiful musical ideas will echo far into the future and his friendship will live on in my heart,“ said Martin Hayes. “He impacted my life and expanded my musical horizon. I was lucky to have known him, to have had him as a friend and to have had the privilege of making music with him for so many years." President of Ireland Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Cahill saying, “Dennis brought a unique and innovative style to his guitar playing, while being deeply respectful of the essence of traditional Irish music. He and Martin Hayes explored new musical territory and helped create a phenomenal interest in traditional music among a new generation of people both within Ireland and across the world."
Dennis and Martin collaborated with a wide range of artists including jazz musicians Bill Frisell and Cassandra Wilson, country music star Ricky Skaggs, Spanish composer and early music maestro Jordi Savall, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Sting. With Martin, Dennis was a founding member of The Gloaming, which appeared at Carnegie Hall in 2019.
We remember fondly the many concerts they performed together under the auspices of World Music Institute from 1999 to 2011. Dennis was far more than an accompanist. Beneath his quiet and unassuming manner there lay a powerhouse of rhythmic intensity. His artful guitar lines provided a perfect complement to Martin’s brilliant fiddling.
“a subtle guitar master” - NPR
Irish Times obituary https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2
June 16, 1954 – June 20, 2022
Dennis Cahill, born and raised in Chicago to parents from County Kerry, Ireland, was a renowned guitarist in the world of Irish traditional music, He was best known for his genre-defining duo with Irish fiddler Martin Hayes, with whom he toured the world and recorded three albums on Green Linnet Records. Their partnership ranked among the most memorable ones in Celtic music. A groundbreaking musician, Dennis took traditional Irish music in new directions, incorporating elements of classical music, blues and jazz.
“His beautiful musical ideas will echo far into the future and his friendship will live on in my heart,“ said Martin Hayes. “He impacted my life and expanded my musical horizon. I was lucky to have known him, to have had him as a friend and to have had the privilege of making music with him for so many years." President of Ireland Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Cahill saying, “Dennis brought a unique and innovative style to his guitar playing, while being deeply respectful of the essence of traditional Irish music. He and Martin Hayes explored new musical territory and helped create a phenomenal interest in traditional music among a new generation of people both within Ireland and across the world."
Dennis and Martin collaborated with a wide range of artists including jazz musicians Bill Frisell and Cassandra Wilson, country music star Ricky Skaggs, Spanish composer and early music maestro Jordi Savall, the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and Sting. With Martin, Dennis was a founding member of The Gloaming, which appeared at Carnegie Hall in 2019.
We remember fondly the many concerts they performed together under the auspices of World Music Institute from 1999 to 2011. Dennis was far more than an accompanist. Beneath his quiet and unassuming manner there lay a powerhouse of rhythmic intensity. His artful guitar lines provided a perfect complement to Martin’s brilliant fiddling.
“a subtle guitar master” - NPR
Irish Times obituary https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2
Tom Pich
Mick Moloney
November 15, 1944 – July 27, 2022
Mick Moloney, beloved musician (banjo, mandolin, guitar), teacher, pioneering scholar, folklorist, and concert producer, was one of the giants in Irish music. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, and moved to the US in 1973. A driving force in Irish music in the US, he was influential in bringing Irish music out of pubs and parlors to the concert stage, and championed the legacy of Irish American music. He encouraged female instrumentalists in a male-dominated field, and passionately explored the connections between Irish music with African, Jewish and American roots music. He co-founded the Green Fields of America, which became the leading traditional Irish ensemble in the US, and was involved as a musician or producer on over 100 albums. He taught at NYU for over 20 years, where he was the Global Distinguished Professor of Music and Irish Studies. A great humanitarian, he was a music teacher and music therapist for children with HIV at Mercy Center in Thailand. His many awards included the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship, this nation’s highest honor in the traditional arts, and the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad, which he received in 2013 from the President of Ireland.
We presented Mick many times under the auspices of World Music Institute in concerts that brought smiles to our faces. A superb raconteur, he always had wonderful stories to tell us backstage. He had a commanding presence, both onstage and off, and we often felt that he would have played all night if the venues would have allowed him to do so.
“As he would often say of others, Mick was “a mighty man,” the likes of which we would be incredibly lucky to see again…Mick was a hero to many and truly changed Irish music in America.” Dan Neely, Irish Echo
New York Times obituary by Vivien Schweitzer.
Irish Echo obituary by Dan Neely
November 15, 1944 – July 27, 2022
Mick Moloney, beloved musician (banjo, mandolin, guitar), teacher, pioneering scholar, folklorist, and concert producer, was one of the giants in Irish music. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, and moved to the US in 1973. A driving force in Irish music in the US, he was influential in bringing Irish music out of pubs and parlors to the concert stage, and championed the legacy of Irish American music. He encouraged female instrumentalists in a male-dominated field, and passionately explored the connections between Irish music with African, Jewish and American roots music. He co-founded the Green Fields of America, which became the leading traditional Irish ensemble in the US, and was involved as a musician or producer on over 100 albums. He taught at NYU for over 20 years, where he was the Global Distinguished Professor of Music and Irish Studies. A great humanitarian, he was a music teacher and music therapist for children with HIV at Mercy Center in Thailand. His many awards included the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship, this nation’s highest honor in the traditional arts, and the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad, which he received in 2013 from the President of Ireland.
We presented Mick many times under the auspices of World Music Institute in concerts that brought smiles to our faces. A superb raconteur, he always had wonderful stories to tell us backstage. He had a commanding presence, both onstage and off, and we often felt that he would have played all night if the venues would have allowed him to do so.
“As he would often say of others, Mick was “a mighty man,” the likes of which we would be incredibly lucky to see again…Mick was a hero to many and truly changed Irish music in America.” Dan Neely, Irish Echo
New York Times obituary by Vivien Schweitzer.
Irish Echo obituary by Dan Neely