"Robust, finely blended ensemble playing, rhythmic alertness and a fearless willingness to take on a wide range of contemporary repertoire. A nice study in contrasts, with the brawny folk-dance rhythms of Gabriela Lena Frank's "Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout" leading into the more serene charms of Lou Harrison's "String Quartet Set." The quartet brings grace and fluidity to "Spanish Garland," José Evangelista's suite of 12 folk melodies, and finishes with urgent, athletically charged performances of music by Reza Vali and Elena Kats-Chernin. - The San Francisco Chronicle Del Sol is particularly impressive here as tightly knit polyphonic flourishes slacken and reveal the striking unfamiliar tonality in sustained phrases. - The Newark Star Ledger The Zia Indians' symbol for the sacred sun is captured by the adventurous spirit of the Del Sol String Quartet on the brand new CD: ZIA. With pieces by Gabriela Lena Frank, Lou Harrison, José Evangelista, Reza Vali and Elena Kats-Chernin, all composers all trained in the Western European tradition, the music interestingly reaches back to ancient and traditional Peruvian, Turkish, Spainish, Iranian, and Uzbekistan folk sources creating vibrant new music for the DSSQ. Founded in 1992, the San Francisco based quartet has long made a practice of fostering contemporary music from throughout the entire Western Hemisphere, working with the composers themselves whenever possible.

Maria Schneider has a new project out, an album called "Winter Morning Walks." She worked with Dawn Upshaw to arrange poems by poet laureate Ted Kooser and Carlos Drummond de Andrade. She told PRI's 'To The Best of Our Knowledge' Senior Producer Anne Strainchamps about notions of beauty in music, how music helped get her through a diagnosis of breast cancer, and her passion for birding. Plus, a little music along the way. 

Bobby McFerrin sings with ‘The Roots' on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' 

Pedrito Martinez
Rumba De La Isla
CALLE 54 88765406072 Fans of Pedrito Martinez's current group should prepare to have some of their expectations blown on Rumba De La Isla. There's a different energy at work on the Cuba-born rumba master's interpretation shares de la Isla's forward-thinking approach, though his aim here processes the music through a lens of his artistry that seems to have much more impressive. His take on "Yo Vivo Enamorao," for exam-cries and the downward curled edges of certain lyrics-from emotive vocals to evocative percussion. Martinez's own clarion voice sweeps along improvised lyrics, calm and unwavering, as thick layers of rhythm intimate de la Isla's passion. "Dos Estrellas Relucientes De Las Alegre Primavera" also underscores the mellow beauty Martinez can unearth through this approach, as his soft touch on the congas and call-and-response vocals build against violinist Alfredo de la Fe's - Jennifer Odell Rumba De La Isla: Que a Mi Me Vio De Nacer; Yo Vivo Enamorao; Dos Estrellas Relucientes De Las Alegre Primavera; Solo Vivo Pa'quererte; Volando Voy; Quiero Quitarme Esta Pena; No Naqueres  Na'De Mi; Gitana Te Quiero; Homenaje A Camaron. (50:15) Personnel: Pedrito Martinez, composer, arranger, chekere, congas, cowbell, vocals; Román Díaz,  bata, cajon, spoons, vocals; John Benítez, bass; Piraña, cajon; Niño Josele, guitar, handclapping;  Alfredo de la Fe, electric violin; Xiomara Laugart, backing vocals; Abraham Rodríguez, backing vocals.

TUNE IN to Bobby McFerrin as he discusses his brand new CD: 'sprityouall' honoring his father and the American Spiritual. Click Here for:   NPR's 'All Things Considered. 

Utah's favorite dads, The Piano Guys just released their new video ‘Home' covering the hit song from 2012 American Idol winner Phillip Phillips. Shot in their home state of Utah near Zion National Park, Steven Sharp Nelson commented on the impetus to make the video. "We love being on tour and meeting our fans! However, as we travel along with our equipment, cellos and baggage one thing never gets checked away - we miss home. We miss our family. When we first heard ‘Home' we couldn't help but be emotionally drawn to it."

The video is being released in conjunction with the group's new album The Piano Guys 2, which features more imaginative mash-ups and arrangements on music from Pachelbel to The Turtles to Bruno Mars

The Piano Guys started making music videos together for fun, a hobby which turned into a worldwide phenomenon when their self-made YouTube videos amassed 220 million views to date.

Veteran gospel act The Blind Boys of Alabama has signed with Sony Masterworks, Paste has learned. The band is now set to release a new album this fall, taking production notes from other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. An album title has not yet been released. The album will feature a few unexpected guest spots, which will be announced later. Its release will be followed by an international tour. The band's current lineup includes founding vocalists Jimmy Carter, along with vocalists Bishop Billy Bowers and Ben Moore. Drummer Eric McKinnie, guitarist Joey Williams, bassist Tracy Pierce and keyboard player Peter Levin round out the lineup. Vernon will add The Blind Boys to his growing list of production credits, which includes work with James Blake, Kathleen Edwards and Land of Talk.