Brina, Slovenia
      
Brina Vogelnik comes from a well-known artistic family in Ljubljana. When she was a little girl, her mother taught her Slovene traditional songs and Brina first performed them on stage when she was seventeen. At that time she was also a member of the Andrabrin duo. Since then she has played important roles in several artistic projects, including puppet theatre and dance performances.

At the end of 2003, several well known Slovenian jazz musicians joined her and they created the album Mlado leto, released in May 2004 by Drugod,  new Slovenian label of international festival Druga godba (That other music).

After performing at various world music festivals in Europe, Brina decided it was time for a new album. In May 2006. Drugod released her album Pasja legenda which even more accentuates Brina's vocal ability to take the listener  through magical atmosphere of ancient rituals, beauties of the Nature and to evoke awareness of the strength of love.
     

Kries, Croatia
    
Kries (means "Bonfire" in archaic form of Croatian language) gets inspiration from traditional chants and lyrics, Slavic mythology, unusual "dinaric" rhythm and Mediterranean traditional instruments while electronics are integral part of Kries creation, «a spice», they would say.

Their first album "Ivo i Mara" has been broadcasted on the radio stations all around the world while, as well as in Croatia, they have been performing for the audiences of many countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Slovenia, United Kingdom...)

"Mojmir Novakovic i Kries have a rare gift of getting deep into the essence of (traditional) songs. Their concerts are passionate rituals in which even people with less imagination can easily travel through the space and time." Denis Derk, Večernji list
"The group achieves a raw and intense sound by combining the lijerica with African djembes and traditional bagpipes. Add in Novakovic’s passionate vocals and some discreet techno flourishes, and it’s a winning recipe that finds just the right balance between innovation and tradition." Tom Pryor, Global Rhythm
"... This music would seem equally relevant to the village wedding or the urban mega-rave, and while I've never been a great one for the album as travel soundtrack, the thought of powering over
the Croatian plains with this at full blast certainly gets the neck hairs pricklings." Mark Hudson, Saturday Telegraph
    

Šafran, Slovakia
     
After it had surfed through the ocean of Celtic music, the band decided to return to their own roots and to explore traditional Slovak music, particularly that hailing from central regions of the country and the "Slovak highlands" in the northwest. Their music draws its essence from the bagpipe tradition that had been at the heart of Slovak folklore since its dawn but, as in most parts of Europe, came to the brink of extinction after the arrival of brass orchestras, accordions and gipsy fiddle bands. However, it has managed to survive in the most secluded rural areas, waiting silently for someone to rediscover its inspiring wealth.

Blending the sound of Slovak folk instruments (bagpipes, shepherds' whistles and hollowed fiddle) with that of classical or period ones (guitars, violin, lute and woodwinds) and rounding it off by traditional ways of singing, like many ethno musicians from around the World, Šafran manages to find the balance between the archaic and modern, thus offering additional reason to the listener to start researching the culture of their country.
    

Julien Jacob, Benin, France
    
Composer, singer, writer and poet Julien Jacob claims that meaning of words and the pressure to understand them sometimes encumbers the impact of music. His own imaginary language which is inspired by vibration of words is intended to release the listener and allow her or him to interpret the song in their own way.

Born in Benin, West Africa, Julien came to Southern France at the age of four. After discovering rock and jazz in his youth, he pursued growing interest in literature, poetry and spirituality. He was sharing time with musicians like Fela Kuti, Miles Davis and Al Jarreau who influenced him in his later musical creativity. In the mid 1990's he settled in Brittany where he wrote a series of books and many songs. After teaming up with Breton producers and musical visionaries Ghislain Baran and Thierry Nedelec, Julien recorded his first album "Shanti" (Warners). His second album "Cotonou" (Wrasse Records) is palpably African but also distinctly unlike any African music you've ever heard.
     

Klapa Oštro, Croatia
    
Klapa Oštro was founded in 2000 by several etnhusiasts from Konavle near Dubrovnik. The name «Oštro» comes from the most Southern spot of the Croatian coast. They have been cooperating with numerous musical directors, but certainly the most influential work has been done with the present klapa director Krešimir Magdić.

Their programme consists of traditional chants and songs from Konavle region, as well as from Dubrovnik area, but also presenting original compositions of Croatian composers of any generation.

Eight a capella singers sometimes are accompanied by traditional musical istruments of Dalmatia and Konavle (lijerica). So far klapa Oštro gave several concerts in Croatia and abroad and every year attends famous Festival dalmatinskih klapa in Omiš.
     

Jamo Jamo Arts , Senegal, UK
    
Jamo Jamo Arts was established by Landing Mané. A performing artist for over 20 years, Landing embodies the spirit of Senegalese music and dance. Born and raised in the vibrant West African city of Dakar, capital of Senegal, Landing was introduced to dance and music at a young age. When he was four years old, his father, also a dancer, co-founded Bakalama, a troupe based on the traditional music and dance of their tribe, the Djola, from the Casamance region of Senegal.

Landing attended rehearsals with his father and quickly learned the routines, which he then practiced and taught his friends. At fourteen, he began performing professionally with the group, dancing and drumming for eight years before becoming Artistic Director.

At the age of eighteen Landing received formal training in modern dance, Afro jazz and classical ballet at the National Conservatory of Dakar. In addition to his traditional work with Bakalama, Landing co-founded the Fifth Dimension Company in Dakar in 1994. Along with fourteen other young artists with diverse backgrounds, they created their own style called ‘Actual Dance,’ a synthesis of traditional African, jazz, ballet and modern dance styles.

In 1998 Landing moved to London working as a dancer, musician and a choreographer.
In 2002 Landing formed Jamo Jamo Arts, an educational and performing arts organization dedicated to bringing traditional and current West African culture to the rest of the world. He leads a group of talented artists from across West Africa and Europe who perform traditional West African music, song and dance, with a unique mix of modern and jazz. The result is an energetic, inspiring and joyous peforming experience.