Warm greetings from Stone Town, Zanzibar and we hope this newsletter finds you well.

2008 festival dates: Zanzibar, 7 - 10 February 2008

Call for Artists – Sauti za Busara 2008

We’re on the telly!

Much respect to Mr Godfrey Nago and his crew, for putting together the docu-feature on Sauti za Busara 2007. Part one was aired last Saturday on TVT and compliments have been flying in from all over Tanzania. The programme brilliantly captured the Zanzibar ambiance, the vibe of the festival, excitement of the mixed audience and the wealth and diversity of musical talent on offer. If you’re reading this from anywhere in Tanzania, be sure not to miss part two going out next Saturday 12^th May at 10pm local time.

Bob Marley Day Celebrations

Friday 11^th May, Zanzibar

Wall-to-wall roots reggae night, Starehe Club, Zanzibar. 9pm – late

Rain Dance Beach Party – Zamani Kempinski Hotel

Sat 12^th May, Zanzibar

Music Crossroads

10^th - 12^th May, Zanzibar

The Music Crossroads Tanzania National Festival takes place 10 – 12 May, 2007 at the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) Zanzibar. Young musicians from Mwanza, Arusha, Iringa, Dodoma, Tanga, Morogoro, Dar es Salaam, coastal region and Zanzibar will be competing for the chance to represent the country at the Interregional Festival in Harare, Zimbabwe from 24 – 27 May, 2007. The Interregional festival features musicians from Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and host country Zimbabwe, who will all be vying for the top honours.

Concerts on each day from 18:00:

10th May, 2007 - Semi-final Zanzibar: Local festival with guest performances from National festival representatives from other regions

11th May, 2007 – Finals Zanzibar: Local festival with guest performances from National festival representatives from other regions

12th May, 2007 – National Finals

B Connected Festival

Sun 20^th May, Dar es Salaam

Congratulations first and foremost to Huzaman, the 19-years young reggae artist and Wadima ngoma group, who out of more than 65 performing groups, scooped the judges award to represent Zanzibar at Music Mayday’s B Connected Festival, Mnazi Mmoja, Dar es Salaam, Sunday 20^th May.

More info: http://www.b-connected.to

BBC World Music Awards 2007

Sun 27^th May, London

The winners of BBC World Music Awards 2007 have been announced. The awards will be presented on 27th May at London's Barbican Centre during the Poll-Winners concert.

More info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2007/index.shtml

(Click on Broadcast Details for coverage via Radio, Webcast and Video on Demand)

This award recognises the enormous contribution made to World Music by those who are rarely in the public eye - but whose work is invaluable nonetheless.

In 2007 the World Shaker Award goes to two people who have had a huge influence on revitalising the local music scene on the island of Zanzibar, Yusuf Mahmoud and Hildegard Kiel.

Yusuf and Hilda's joint efforts have brought about a revitalisation of the local scene and the island's musical heritage. The result is a new musical landscape where traditional Zanzibar music lives together with modern influences.  BBC Radio 3 is delighted to award Yusuf and Hildegard a World Shaker planet award to recognise their enormous contribution to both the local scene in Zanzibar and the world music scene globally.

Excerpts from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2007/worldshaker.shtml

As Old As My Tongue: The Myth & Life of Bi Kidude

(ScreenStation UK / Busara Promotions)

May 2007

Finally, by popular request, here are some of the tunes going down well these days with the Zanzibar massive!

JAGWA MUSIC (Tanzania) – Maisha Popote

JUMA NATURE & TMK WANAUME HALISI (Tanzania) – Ndege Tunduni

ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION (UK) – Time Freeze (The Best of)

TINARIWEN (Mali) – Aman Iman

YUNASI (Kenya) – Ndi Ndi Ndi

AFRICANDO (Africa/Caribbean/NY) – Ketukuba

VARIOUS ARTISTS (Africa) – Sound Affects: Africa

BI KIDUDE (Zanzibar) – Zanzibara 4: The Diva of Zanzibari Music

NYOTA NDOGO (Kenya) – Watu na Viatu

D.N.A. (Kenya) – Banjuka

BASSEKOU KOUYATE & NGONI BA (Mali) – Segu Blue

VIEUX FARKA TOURE (Mali) – Vieux Farka Toure

AFRICAN PEARLS 4 (V/A, Senegal) – The Teranga Spirit

AFRICAN PEARLS 2 (V/A, Guinee) – Cultural Revolution