Global Beat Festival

The Libyans and The Feedel Band, Niyaz and Emel Mathlouthi, & Guayo Cedeño and Aurelio Martinez

Global Beat Festival explores music from around the world befitting the stunning acoustics of the magnificent glass-vaulted Winter Garden. Each night pairs two groups from different traditions for an unforgettable 3-day experience. The various blend of sounds and instruments truly captures the variety and uniqueness of each culture.

May 7 - The Libyans give new life to the fascinating, sacred music of the Jews of Libya. Based in Israel, the six-member ensemble’s sound gains influence from Arabic, African and Turkish culture. Accompanied by guest dancers, The Feedel Band performs music inspired by the golden age of Ethiopia merged with 1960s jazz and R&B.

May 8 - Day 2 of the festival features two female-driven vocal powerhouses. Niyaz seamlessly blends medieval Sufi poetry and folk songs from their native Iran along with a guest whirling Dervish dancer. Emel Mathlouthi‘s gorgeous, intricate sound moves between rock, trip-hop, and electronica, giving light to her reputation as one of the great divas of the Arab World.

May 9 - The final night of the festival features Guayo Cedeño + Coco Bar, serving Latin surf guitar melodies from Honduras. Renowned Garifuna singer/songwriter Aurelio Martinez will follow Guayo.

Light Design by Robert W. Henderson, Jr.

Winter Garden, Brookfield Place, New York
May 2015

Photographs by Bill Farrington, Ryan Muir, & Darial Sneed