Leading jazz acts revealed for Womad
Two headlining jazz acts from overseas have been announced for next year’s world music festival, Womad.
Anoushka Shankar, half-sister of American singer and songwriter Norah Jones, was revealed today, as well as Los Angeles saxophonist, composer and jazz superstar Kamasi Washington.
Both have signed on to be two of the headlining acts for the three day international music and dance festival.
The reveal has come a fortnight after iconic Kiwi hitmakers Dragon was unveiled as the first act for the 14th installation of Womad New Zealand, held at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands. Grammynominated sitar player and composer Shankar first performed in New Zealand in 2009.
Named as one of Time magazine’s Asian Heroes, 36-year-old Shankar is a much lauded jazz musician, author and columnist, as well as a strong advocate for women’s rights.
Taught to play the sitar by her father, renowned Ravi Shankar, the artist has performed with a variety of musicians, including Sting, Eric Clapton and Lenny Kravitz.
Hailed as one of the hottest young jazz acts in the world, Washington will perform exclusively at Womad New Zealand.
The multi-award winning jazz giant most recently performed in New Zealand at last year’s music festival Auckland City Limits. Kamasi’s contemporary take on jazz has been compared to John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, and he has played both Coachella and Glastonbury.
Programme manager Emere Wano said the two musicians were leaders in their respective genres.
‘‘Both artists reflect the strength and diversity that Womad New Zealand has become recognised for,’’ she said.
‘‘We aren’t just about being outward looking at what the world can bring to us, but inclusive and showing the world what we have here at home too.’’