World Routes - 06/03/2010

Rita Ray visits the Sauti za Busara Festival in Zanzibar to hear some of the island's leading big-band 'taraab' ensembles. Including specially-recorded performances from Zanzibar's premier band Culture Musical Club, also the latest sensation Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra. Taraab dates from the centuries when Zanzibar was a centre for trade in the Arab world - the main instruments in the bands are the Arabic lute and zither, and the scales are Arabic. When the Arab Sultans left, the taraab orchestras formed themselves into collectives, and in the programme the founder members of Culture Musical Club recall the years leading up to independence in 1963, when their band was formed. Taraab is now starting to reach international audiences through the albums and tours of musicians like Mohamed Ilyas. The programme also features songs from Bi Kidude, Zanzibar's 'Little Granny', who despite her great age, can still thrill an audience of both old and young. WORLD ROUTES Presented by Rita Ray Produced by Roger Short Tel. 020 7765 4661 Fax. 020 7765 5052 e-mail [email protected] Saturday 5th March, 3:00pm Khadija Baramia/M. Ilyas: Si Rahisi Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra: BBC Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival Cha Kale Dhahabu (all is gold) Culture Musical Club BBC Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival Interview with Taimur Rukhini. Kanigia Kanenjose (My love came as a dream) Culture Musical Club, Ft. Rajab Suleiman (qanun) BBC Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival Interview with Mariam Hamdani Handani: Walodhani Ni Mzaha Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra: BBC Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival Interview with Mariam Hamdani Bakari Abeid/M. Ilyas: Moyoni sina Nafasi Mohamed Ilyas and his Nyota Zameremeta Orchestra: BBC Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival Interview with Bi Kidude Sika Tito Mohammed Ilyas and Nyota Zamerameta; Ft. Mariam Hamdani (qanun) & Bi Kidude (vocals) BBC Recording by sound engineer James Birtwistle at the 2009 Sauti za Busara Festival