Maine

Flowing from the rich cultural traditions, geopolitical issues and the great beauty of the world’s longest river comes The Nile Project. Led by charismatic Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero, a pan-Nile percussion section drives this orchestra of Ethiopian masenko and saxophone; EGYPTIAN ney, oud, violin, simsimiya, and tanbura; Ugandan adungu; bass guitar; and vocalists singing in multiple languages. The Nile Project’s unique sound comes from intensive work among the various musicians, learning from one another and translating that experience into collectively composed new songs. The result is an unprecedented collaboration that garnered The Nile Project’s first recording, Aswan, a coveted spot on NPR’s Top 5 Must-Hear International Albums of 2013.