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globalFEST From a Congolese-Belgian hip-hop artist to a "Kungfu-Appalachian-Indie-Folk-Rock trio," hear a wide range of international talent captured live from Webster Hall in New York City.
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globalFEST

Enjoy a wide range of international talent captured live from Webster Hall in New York City.
The Wu-Force: globalFEST 2014

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Banjo master Abigail Washburn, part of an Appalachian-Chinese mash-up called The Wu Force, performs at New York City's Webster Hall as a part of globalFEST on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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The Wu-Force 2014

Hear a brand-new band featuring clawhammer banjo player Abigail Washburn. The Wu-Force merges Appalachian folk and a punk sensibility with traditional Chinese music.

The Wu-Force: globalFEST 2014

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Noura Mint Seymali: globalFEST 2014

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Mauritanian artist Noura Mint Seymali performs at New York City's Webster Hall during globalFEST on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Noura Mint Seymali 2014

With her smoky-rich voice, this Mauritanian griot artist tips toward reggae, flamenco and rock along with traditional Sahelian tonalities and rhythms in a band that includes her husband.

Noura Mint Seymali: globalFEST 2014

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The Bombay Royale: globalFEST 2014

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Vocalists Shourov Bhattacharya and Parvyn Singh from The Bombay Royale, performing live Sunday during globalFEST at Webster Hall in New York City. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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The Bombay Royale 2014

THis band crams vintage Bollywood, 1960s surf and blazing brass into a giddy new sound. The 11-piece band evokes memories of everything from the Village People to formulaic romances of the 1970s.

The Bombay Royale: globalFEST 2014

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Fanfare Ciocarlia: globalFEST 2014

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Members of Romania's Fanfare Ciocarlia perform a blazing set during globalFEST at New York City's Webster Hall on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Fanfare Ciocarlia 2014

As soon as this oversized outfit of horns, winds and drums arrived on the main globalFEST stage, the audience knew exactly what to do: They began pogoing ecstatically until the floor shook.

Fanfare Ciocarlia: globalFEST 2014

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Baloji: globalFEST 2014

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Congolese-Belgian artist Baloji started his globalFEST set at New York City's Webster Hall on Jan. 12, 2014 in high fashion — but by the end, he was working hard in rolled-up shirtsleeves. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Baloji 2014

A Congolese-Belgian hip-hop artist pairs lilting African soukous with the swagger of American soul.

DakhaBrakha: globalFEST 2014

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The Ukrainian "punk-folk" band DakhaBrakha brought its singular style to globalFEST at Webster Hall in New York City on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Front Row

DakhaBrakha: globalFEST 2014

The group mixes everything from punk-pop to traditional Ukrainian songs in cool yet beguiling textures, often with the close harmonies usually associated with Balkan music.

Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta: globalFEST 2014

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Mexican vocalist Salvador Duran's rich baritone was at the front and center of Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta at New York City's Webster Hall during globalFEST on January 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta 2014

Hear a band from Arizona splice together mambo — by way of Mexico — with psychedelic cumbia and other Latin styles. The result sounds like Perez Prado reconfigured for the 21st century.

Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta: globalFEST 2014

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Hassan Hakmoun: globalFEST 2014

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Moroccan gnawa singer and instrumentalist Hassan Hakmoun, performing live at globalFEST at New York City's Webster Hall on January 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Hassan Hakmoun 2014

Hakmoun and his band mates layer soulful vocals, complex African polyrhythms, jazz-tinged synth and a deep rock groove into a satisfying whole. At its heart, his music remains utterly joyful.

Hassan Hakmoun: globalFEST 2014

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Brushy One String: globalFEST 2014

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Playing a single-stringed guitar, the Jamaican artist Brushy One String held court in the intimate Studio space at New York City's Webster Hall during globalFEST on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Brushy One String 2014

A YouTube sensation whose song "Chicken in the Corn" has received more than four million views, Jamaica's Brushy One String has captured listeners' imaginations with his stripped-down style.

Brushy One String: globalFEST 2014

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Yasmine Hamdan: globalFEST 2014

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Lebanese singer Yasmine Hamdan brought her cool, underground electro-pop to globalFEST at Webster Hall in New York City on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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Front Row

Yasmine Hamdan: globalFEST 2014

A solo artist based in Europe after a childhood split between Lebanon, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Greece, Hamdan blends new material with reworked traditional songs in a smoky-cool electro-pop setting.

KiT: globalFEST 2014

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Roël Calister and Diamanta von Lieschdeck from Amsterdam's KiT, blending music from Curaçao with house and hip-hop, perform onstage during globalFEST at Webster Hall in New York City on Jan. 12, 2014. Ebru Yildiz for NPR hide caption

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KiT 2014

KiT, or Kuenta i Tambu — "Stories and Drums" — takes music from the Caribbean island of Curaçao, merges it with European dance-floor music and kicks it all into high, sweaty gear.

KiT: globalFEST 2014

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globalFEST: Fatoumata Diawara

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globalFEST: Fatoumata Diawara

The Malian singer originally moved to France to study acting, and appeared in several films before picking up the guitar and writing her own songs. Hear Fatoumata Diawara, recorded live in concert.

globalFEST: La Santa Cecilia

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globalFEST: La Santa Cecilia

The Los Angeles band, named after the patron saint of musicians, blends Latin styles such as cumbia, norteño and ranchera. Hear La Santa Cecilia, recorded live from New York City's Webster Hall.

The Stooges Brass Band: globalFEST 2013

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The Stooges Brass Band 2013

The Stooges Brass Band got its start when members of two rival high-school marching bands in New Orleans decided to join forces. Today, the group mixes hip-hop, funk and R&B in its live performances.

La Shica: globalFEST 2013

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La Shica 2013

Madrid's La Shica blends traditional flamenco sounds with rock and pop elements, led by singer and dancer Elsa Rovayo. Hear the group, recorded live in concert at Webster Hall in New York City.

La Shica: globalFEST 2013

Listen · 43:13
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Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan: globalFEST 2013

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Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan 2013

Iran's Kayhan Kalhor joins Turkish artist Erdal Erzincan for this intimate performance, recorded live at New York City's Webster Hall.

Kayhan Kalhor & Erdal Erzincan: globalFEST 2013

Listen · 33:33
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Lo'Jo: globalFEST 2013

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Lo'Jo 2013

Hear the French worldbeat group, recorded live in concert from New York City's Webster Hall.

Lo'Jo: globalFEST 2013

Listen · 47:54
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A Tribe Called Red: globalFEST 2013

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A Tribe Called Red 2013

The Canadian group A Tribe Called Red features three DJs who mix Native powwow chant with hip-hop and dubstep, while a dancer spins multicolored hoops. Hear the group, recorded live in concert.

A Tribe Called Red: globalFEST 2013

Listen · 40:03
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Martha Redbone Roots Project: globalFEST 2013

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Martha Redbone Roots Project 2013

Hear the contemporary Native American musician, recorded live from New York City's Webster Hall.

Martha Redbone Roots Project: globalFEST 2013

Listen · 50:09
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Stephane Wrembel: globalFEST 2013

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Stephane Wrembel 2013

French-born guitarist Stephane Wrembel plays so-called "Gypsy jazz," a style pioneered by legendary guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt. Hear Wrembel and his band at New York City's Webster Hall.

Stephane Wrembel: globalFEST 2013

Listen · 54:58
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Wang Li: globalFEST 2012

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Wang Li performs during globalFEST at New York City's Webster Hall on Jan. 8. Ryan Muir for NPR hide caption

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Wang Li 2012

Hear this Chinese master of deeply felt and highly atmospheric music perform live in concert.

Wang Li: globalFEST 2012

Listen · 1:02:17
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