Musical Identities

As part of the Identity Season this edition of Global Beats features musicians affected by migration and cross-fertilisation of cultures and ideas.

Now that musicians from anywhere in the world can access hip hop from Venezuela or the songs of the Canadian Inuit online, what does that mean for the identity of music and musicians? Can the music of a Kora player born in Glasgow be as good as that of a Kora player from Mali, or a folk fiddle player from Glasgow? Is there a danger that as the globe contracts, we will end up with less and less musical diversity?

Presenter Nikki Bedi will be joined by Eska, a Londoner with Zimbabwean roots who is being hailed as one of Britain’s most exciting new singer songwriters. Also on the programme, Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale, who has collaborated with numerous musicians from around the world, and Don Kipper, an award-winning seven piece band specialising in Klezmer and traditional music from Greece and Turkey.

(Photo: Don Kipper and band)