The Francis Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton, Alberta, recently announced its 2011 season of Winspear Presents concerts. Inviting audiences to "engage in a variety of musical genres and absorb the unabashed cultural sounds of prolific artists in the industry today," the Winspear concert series welcomes artists from all over the world.
This season, concert-goers can purchase tickets to three or more concerts for $35 each, including service charges.
Here is the 2011 lineup.
Martin Sexton, Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, at 8 p.m.
Martin Sexton, a one-of-a-kind-troubadour, will take the stage. In his latest studio release "Sugarcoating," Sexton attempts to connect the personal with the universal, which has earned him a devoted following among fans and critics alike.
www.martinsexton.com
Acoustic Africa, Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 8 p.m.
The second installment of Acoustic Africa's exhilarating musical journey focuses on the richness of the African guitar tradition. The Acoustic Africa tour features Habib Koite, the Malian musician whose concerts have introduced him to audiences worldwide; Oliver Mtukudzi, a best-selling artist in his home country of Zimbabwe; and Afel Bocoum, a guitarist, singer and composer from Mali whose songs reflect the evolution of traditional Malian society. The three artists, backed by a traditional African band, unite to honor their African heritage while simultaneously pushing contemporary musical boundaries.
www.contrejour.com
Salif Keita, Thursday, March 31, 2011, at 8 p.m.
For more than forty years, Salif Keita has been the goldsmith of modern Malian music. Considered a master of West African rhythms and credited as one of the founders of the Afro-pop genre, Keita is world renowned for his unforgettable live performances, soaring vocals and his emotionally-fueled songs. His latest album, "La Difference," is dedicated to the struggle of the albino community, for which Keita has been crusading all his life.
www.salif-keita.artiste.universalmusic.fr
Bruce Cockburn, Friday, April 1, 2011, at 8 p.m.
Restless energy and enduring curiosity has marked Bruce Cockburn's 35 year career as a musician and songwriter. Performing in a trio with percussionist Gary Craig and violinist Jenny Scheinman, Bruce Cockburn will be touring on the strength of his new record, "Small Source of Comfort," due to be released on March 1. As a songwriter, Cockburn is revered by fans and musicians alike. His songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Elbow, Jimmy Buffett, Judy Collins, the Skydiggers, Anne Murray and the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia.
www.brucecockburn.com
Harry Manx & David Lindley, Saturday, April 9, 2011, at 8 p.m.
Prolific artist Harry Manx has been called an "essential link" between the music of East and West. His creation of musical stories blend Indian folk melodies with slide guitar blues, gospel and some compelling grooves. Manx has forged a distinct Indo-blues style that is hard to forget and deliciously addictive to listen to.
www.harrymanx.com
Multi-instrumentalist David Lindley is known for electro-acoustic performances that effortlessly combine American folk, blues, and bluegrass traditions with elements from African, Arabic, Asian, Celtic, Malagasy and Turkish musical sources. He consistently gives one of the most unique concert experiences available to adventuresome music listeners.
www.davidlindley.com
Johnny Clegg, Saturday, April 23, 2011, at 8 p.m.
Johnny Clegg is a singer, songwriter, dancer, anthropologist and musical activist whose music has exploded onto the international scene and broken through barriers in his home of South Africa. His first CD release in 17 years, "Human," builds on Clegg's critically acclaimed, massive-selling success in combining Western pop, Zulu rhythms, English lyrics and South African musical structures. Clegg makes his largest impact with the simple yet incisive lyrics he crafts for his records, and "Human" speaks to myriad perspectives while remaining quintessentially Clegg.
www.johnnyclegg.com
The Details
Winspear Centrewww.winspearcentre.com
