Alsarah The Nubatones: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

When singer Alsarah left her native Sudan, she was just a child who d shown an interest in music. She s said it served as her coping mechanism during a subsequent transition to life here in the U. S. That passion led her to a university degree in ethnomusicology. It also drew her to musicians who were passionate about the intersection of culture, music and migration. Together, their oneofakind expression has been called East African retro But that tag only scratches the surface: In their hands, the music pulses, breathes and comes alive with a mix of tradition and contemporary influences. Alsarah and her band The Nubatones mesmerize and enchant in this performance behind Bob Boilen s Desk. They undoubtedly opened new worlds for more than a few who saw the performance live, so it s a pleasure to share it with the world. Manara is available now: iTunes: Amazon: Spotify: