For the people who say they have no rhythm, BaBa Eli Hoenai of Chicago would tell them that they’re missing a key organ–their heart. In celebration of Black History Month, he presented two workshops ...

The aesthetic dimensions of African musical instruments are not only visual, but aural and symbolic as well. As cultural objects, they can represent and reinforce political authority, social ...

The mbira, or “thumb piano,” a traditional African instrument, is declining in popularity in big cities, a musician and seller of traditional musical instruments from Cape Town, South Africa told ...

This is an updated version of a story first published on Nov. 13, 2022. Described as a cross between a harp, a lute, and a guitar, the kora is part of a musical tradition that dates back to the ...

Growing up in the West African country of Mali, Bassekou Kouyate recalls the tradition of the Ngoni running through the veins of his culture since he was a child. An instrument dating back nearly ...

Hugh Tracey came to southern Africa in the 1920s to become a tobacco farmer but ended up compiling the largest known archive of traditional African music, recording performers from Congo to Zimbabwe ...

To "go back and give back" is Karendra Devroops' mission. Back to his hometown of South Africa, giving back to children the gift of music. Elizabethtown College assistant professor of music and ...

The late, great Fela Kuti is known as the "Black President" for his role as both a musical and a political leader. Now he has become the first African artist to get this Grammy honor.

HAMBURG, Germany — “Ok, stop the cameras,” the head conservator commanded from the belly of the storage department. “I want to hear what these instruments sound like without Satch wearing the gloves.” ...