Music is a critical part of nearly every human culture. Trace back through history or just travel the globe today and you’ll hear an absolutely boggling number of sounds and styles. From the polyrhythmic drums of Africa to European symphonies, to hillbilly banjos to the Tuvan throat singers of Siberia, people have always found a way to express themselves, and their culture, through music.

Before recording technology, you literally had to travel the world to experience these exotic rhythms, melodies and scales. But even in the sixties and seventies, after vinyl records were mainstream consumer products, it was difficult, if not impossible, to find world music in your local record store. A trip to New York City, Chicago or Los Angeles opened up possibilities, but finding real gems from the far corners of the map was still unlikely.

With major advances in recording technology and distribution, music from all of the world is now accessible with a few clicks. But even with such access, there’s still nothing like a live performance. Fortunately, the world is shrinking and now musicians from everywhere travel to the USA and elsewhere to share their gifts.

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Atlanta, Georgia

Friday, May 31  I AfroDreamFest Concert

Head over to the Southwest Performing Arts Center in Atlanta for the AfroDreamFest Concert. This extraordinary event celebrates and promotes Neo Afro-Fusion genres of music from the African continent and the diaspora. Sounds and styles including AfroBeat, AfroSoul, AfroJazz and more will fill your ears with music.

The artist line-up includes percussionist Tosin Musik, Mausiki Scales and The Common Ground Collective Band, African Talking Drummer Adeleke, Afrosoul,Afrofolk Songstress Tosinger, Actor & Afrobeat Crooner Wale Ojo, Kalimba player Kevin ‘KalimbaMan’ Spears and others.

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Oakland, California

Friday, May 31  I  Agua Clara Flamenco

If you happen to be in Oakland, spending your evening in The Sound Room would be a great opportunity to see Agua Clara Flamenco. This magnificent performance features David McLean, an accomplished flamenco guitarist and composer along with flamenco dancers Clara Rodrigues and Carola Zertuche, and vocalist Kina Mendez.

Flamenco is a specific style of music and dance originating in Southern Spain. With its passionate rhythms and heart pounding hand claps, flamenco has become popular all over the world. On Friday, May 31, you can experience some fantastic flamenco performers without leaving Oakland.

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Santa Rosa, California

Friday, May 31  I  Sonoma County Matsuri Festival Presents: The Empty Bell featuring Riley Kōhō Lee

Head south to the Church of One Tree in Sonoma County for The Empty Bell. You’ll be charmed with Grand Master Riley Lee’s astonishing Shakuhachi flute performances along with Elliot Kallen, Naoko and the Voices of TenTen Taiko.

Shakuhachi is a traditional Chinese and Japanese bamboo flute sometimes used by Zen Buddhist monks. In 1980, Riley Lee became the first non-Japanese person to ever become a Grand Master Shakuhachi player. Along with the other artists, this evening is sure to delight and mesmerise anyone who attends.

With these shows and many, many more across the country, world music has become a part of our melting pot, part of our own culture. It is a rich, expansive art form with near limitless possibilities. So travel the world with music. Without buying a plane ticket.