Common Ground features artists seemingly different in discipline, practices, or cultural identity who explore global connections, celebrating distinctions that make cultures unique.  Our NEW series Common Ground: Mini-Global Mashups are curated by acclaimed trumpeter and composer Frank London (The Klezmatics) bringing together two amazing global music artists along with accompanists for an afternoon of music, conversation and exploration. Post-show Q&A.

Alessandra Belloni is a singer, percussionist, dancer, and actress. She is the only woman in the U.S. and in Italy who specializes in traditional Southern Italian folk dances and percussion combined with singing that she learned in Southern Italy. Belloni was born in Rome, Italy and is committed to preserving the strong and rich traditions of her culture.

Alioune Faye works with greats including Youssou N’dour, Stevie Wonder and Peter Gabriel. He plays sabar, tama and djembe. Currently based in New York, he is the leader of the group Yakar Rhythms. Faye comes from an extensive line of griots and drummers in Senegal. (Griots are historians who deliver teachings as wandering musicians, poets and singers.) He’s also performed with Sing Sing Rhythm – Senegal’s premier sabar ensemble.

This concert is accompanied by Frank London on Trumpet. Sir Frank London is a Grammy-award winning trumpeter-composer and co-founder of the Klezmatics, and leads Glass House Orchestra, Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars, Shekhina Big Band, Sharabi with Deep Singh, Ahava Raba with Yanky Lemmer. London has worked with John Zorn, Karen O, Itzhak Perlman, Pink Floyd, LL Cool J, Mel Tormé, Lester Bowie, LaMonte Young, They Might Be Giants, David Byrne, Jane Siberry, Ben Folds 5; is on over 500 CDs; and was featured on Sex And The City.

This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.