The Andrews Sisters Photo: BBC
The Andrews Sisters were early recording pioneers of close harmony singing of the boogie-woogie era, famous for their lightning-quick vocal syncopations.
Their 1941 hit "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" is an early example of rhythm and blues.
But it was an act founded on necessity: they formed The Andrews Sisters when they were still teenagers and after winning a talent contest went on the road to support their family during the Depression. During the war they were favourite entertainers for the forces in Africa and Europe.
The Rheingans Sisters are an English folk duo.
The Rheingans Sisters Photo: Supplied
Rowan and Anna learned to play the violin on instruments handmade by their luthier father who still makes their violins and banjos.
The Rheingans Sisters second album Already Home contains their first original song "Mackerel" which won best original song at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2016, giving the Rheingans Sisters career a major boost.
The Ayoub Sisters L-R Laura and Sarah Photo: Supplied
The Ayoub Sisters is a classical crossover duo from Glasgow.
Sarah plays cello and Laura violin on their debut album with the Royal Philharmonic which was number one on the U.K. classical chart. Their repertoire is mix of classical favorites, traditional melodies from Scotland and the Middle East, and classicized versions of pop songs like “Uptown Funk.”
The Secret Sisters have been singing country songs with their family since childhood.
The Secret Sisters Photo: Abraham Rowe/Courtesy of the artist
Laura and Lydia Rogers have music in their blood on both sides and learned to harmonize through singing in their local church in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
But their path to success has been hard. Laura and Lydia Rogers finally cracked it with their third album You Don’t Own Me Anymore, because of the strength of their song-writing and their exquisite harmonies.
Hamid El Kasri will play Womad Taranaki this year.
Moroccon artist Hamid El Kasri Photo: Kennedy Centre
Moroccon artist Hamid El Kasri plays the guembri, a three-stringed bass lute found most in gnawa, the music of former black slaves from North Africa. In his hands the guembri can be melancholic or uplifting. And as his fingers pick out their complex melodies, his deep voice deepens the experience.
French Canadian sisters Stéphanie and Mélanie Boulay perform as Les Sœurs Boulay (The Boulay Sisters)
Les Sœurs Boulay Photo: Karine Paradis
They sing simple melodies that reflect their French Canadian heritage often with n a very pared back style often with a simple guitar-and-ukulele backing. Recently they have added backing musicians to their lineup, producing a more complex sound that has them winning awards.
Ahn Trio has taken the classical piano trio into crossover territory.
Ahn trio, taking piano trio into crossover territory. Photo: Supplied
The Korean born sisters formed their trio while studying at Juilliard in New York. It didn’t take long before they began to stand out by playing new art music or popular songs. Since then Ahn Trio has performed all over the world, making many albums, and working with dancers, lighting designers and DJ's as well as in advertising and in fashion shoots
Music Details
RAYE, PRINCE: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - The Andrews Sisters (AXIS cdax 701114)
R RHEINGANS: Mackerel - The Rheingans Sisters (PROPER 420089)
R RHEINGANS: Green Unstopping - The Rheingans Sisters (RootBeatRecords RBRCD28)
RONSON: Uptown Funk - The Ayoub Sisters (Decca: 4815780)
TRAD: Misirlou - The Ayoub Sisters (Decca: 4815780)
LAURA & LYDIA ROGERS: Tennessee River Runs Low - The Secret Sisters (Bandcamp)
LAURA & LYDIA ROGERS: Carry Me - The Secret Sisters (Bandcamp)
LAURA & LYDIA ROGERS: Kathy’s Song - The Secret Sisters (Bandcamp)
KASRI: Sandia - Hamid El Kasri (Sacavneurasys)
KASRI: Samaoui - Hamid El Kasri (Sacavneurasys)
TRAD: Les couteaux a buerre - Sœurs Boulay (Grosse Boîte DTC2-4584)
DION: Pour que tu m'aimes encore - Sœurs Boulay (Grosse Boîte DTC2-4584)
THE DOORS: Riders on the storm - Ahn Trio (EMI 5 57357)
PIAZZOLLA: Milonga del ángel - Ahn Trio (EMI 5 57357)
