Sep 10, 2008 — Walk into a coffeehouse or boutique almost anywhere, and you may see a display of brightly-colored world music CDs. Putumayo Records' compilations are famous for bringing little-known global artists to American ears. The man who discovers those musical gems lives right here on the east side of the Champlain Valley, and he's started his own world music label. Jacob Edgar has brought musicians from Central America, Asia, and Africa to his studios in Charlotte, Vermont. His latest artist, Chiwoniso of Zimbabwe, was rehearsing at a little farmhouse nearby for her upcoming North American tour. David Sommerstein stopped by and has this profile.  Go to full article

Dec 28, 2006 — Today in New York City, mourners will gather at The Apollo Theater in Harlem to say goodbye to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Brown died early Christmas morning at the age of 73. Today's Heard Up North, comes from someone who listens regularly to NCPR over the Internet. She's a devoted James Brown fan who never saw him in concert, but did catch a glimpse of the Hardest Working Man in Show Business.  Go to full article

Apr 13, 2006 — Tonight is the second night of the Jewish holiday, Passover. Jews around the world will sit down for a ritual dinner called a "seder". They'll retell the biblical story of the Jewish slaves' exodus from Egypt. A Montreal-based music producer has recast the Passover seder for the hip-hop generation. Socalled - alias Josh Dolgin - used rappers, Yiddish and klezmer samples, and funky beats to make "The SoCalled Seder - A Hip Hop Haggadah". The CD cover shows a matzah on a record turntable. The songs include "the 10 Plagues", all four cups of wine, and L.M.P.G. - Let My People Go. David Sommerstein spoke with SoCalled about the surprising similarities between Passover and Hip-Hop.  Go to full article

Feb 21, 2006 — Groove masters Medeski, Martin & Wood bring their unique mix of jazz, rock, funk, and experimentation to Potsdam Friday. The keyboard-bass-drum trio came together in the New York City music scene of the 1990s. A few opening shows for the rock band Phish in 1996 catapulted them to the top of the jam band scene. They've played all over the world. They've tabbed Potsdam for a rare acoustic performance. David Sommerstein has this profile.  Go to full article

Jan 13, 2006 — Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that fuses dance, music, and song. Capoeira classes are growing in popularity across the United States. On Thursday nights in Lake Placid, the gym at the North Country School is transformed by the sounds of the drum and the berimbau, the stringed gourd that's at the heart of capoeira. David Sommerstein attended a class and has this audio montage.

Jamie Whidden (518-891-4973) teaches in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. Relani Prudhomme (315-212-1110) teaches classes in Canton.  Go to full article