Trio Garufa is the odyssey of three virtuoso musicians, whose exciting music is rooted in the Argentine Tango, essentially a social dance in which partners in a stylized embrace, walk together interpreting the feeling and tempo of this melodic music.

ULTRA WORLD X-TET combines jazz, world, experimental and Contemporary concert styles in a pioneering mix of music and culture.

Award-winning musician, composer, and producer, Patrick Landeza is a leading West Coast Hawaiian slack-key guitar artist.

Meet Fely recent winner of the Independent Music Awards in the song category world beat

Sumptuous vocal harmonies from Eastern Europe, the Americas, and beyond.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2012
PHOTOS, BIOS & INTERVIEWS upon request

WORLD MUSIC Artists Converge on TELEGRAPH AVENUE, Saturday, JUNE 2nd

The free 9th Annual Berkeley World Music offers a dazzling range of continuous music by Bay Area’s finest artists on Saturday, June 2nd, Noon – 9 P.M. Performances are featured in Telegraph Avenue cafes and shops, near UC campus, as well as the People’s Park concert (1 to 6 P.M.), that’s sponsored by Amoeba Music.

The Festival showcases the Bay Area’s rich world music scene. Six-time Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur and Bay Area’s premier Cuban bandleader, Fito Reinoso, headline at the People’s Park dance party. Maria Muldaur & her red hot Bluesiana Band offer spicy New Orleans flavored Blues, R & B and “Swamp Funk”. Fito Reinoso y su Ritmo y Armonia’s sizzling rhythms reflect Cuba's street beat and broad musical heritage. Druid Sister’s Tree Party opens the party with a riveting display of Celtic and Gypsy tribal grooves. A colorful crafts bazaar (Noon to 6 P.M.) adds to the festivities in the park.

The musical feast will be served throughout the day at various Telegraph venues featuring innovative artists rooted in ancient traditions. Award winning Patrick Landeza is a leading West Coast Hawaiian slack-key guitarist. The sublime Ultra World X- tet is a jazz fusion group that includes Yangqin Zhao, 
 China’s foremost player of the Yangqin, a hammered dulcimer that bears her name. True Life Trio, who weave vocal harmonies from the Balkans and beyond, first met as members of the internationally renowned Kitka Ensemble. Trio Garufa is distinguished as the only US Argentine Tango group who play in top “Milongas” dance halls of Buenos Aires. With Bouchaib Abdelhadi (North African, Middle Eastern and Sufi rifts), Duo Gadjo (French Gypsy Jazz), Fely Tchaco (AfroPop & Ivory Coast Rhythms), Baron Rubenbauer (Neo-classical guitar / Spain to India) and street performances by Sadza Marimba & Mbira (Zimbabwean Dance Music), Simcha (Klezmer), and world accordion artist Alex “the Kombrig” Yaskin there’s something for everyone!

Not to be missed is The After-Festival Party at Ashkenaz featuring Afro-beat pioneer Joni Haastrup & MonoMono. This show (with cover charge) starts at 9:30 p.m. Event schedules, maps and artist bios will be available at the information booth on Telegraph Ave. at Haste Street, and online at www.berkeleyworldmusic.org

Festival sponsors are Amoeba Music, Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center, Berkeley Art Commission, City of Berkeley, East Bay Express, KPFA, Pagan Alliance, People’s Park Office, SF Bay Guardian, SF Chronicle, Telegraph Business Improvement District, UC Office of Community Relations, UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives, Whole Foods Market and Telegraph area businesses.

Introducing the 9th annual Berkeley World Music Festival

For nine years the Berkeley World Music Festival has been celebrating the rich diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area's world music scene.

Join us on Saturday, June 2, 2012 for a full day of live concerts that will favorably surprise your musical palate and take you on a musical journey around the world and back.

All performances are free to the public making this event the best travel deal of the year! Every Year!