For the first time ever in the United States, revered Hawaiian taiko master Kenny Endo joins forces with Japan's trad-pop musical virtuoso Hiromitsu Agatsuma on tsugaru-shamisen (the three-stringed banjo-like instrument which originated in Northern Japan) for a one-night only live performance.Endo's adrenaline-pumping performance is a natural fit with Agatsuma's fast and aggressive style, as they push the limits of one another's skills in concert.

Vieux Farka Touré's latest album was recorded as an homage to his homeland.  Being that his native Mali has been splintered by territorial fighting between Tuareg and Islamic rebels since January 2012, his new album, Mon Pays (My Country), is devoted to reminding the world about the beauty and culture of his homeland.

Swedish Rock/Americana group Slim Loris are set to release their 2nd album "Future Echoes and Past Replays" on May 19th. The album follows up their critically acclaimed 2011 release "Down to Earth", which Billboard called "a sombre turn to the usually poppy sound of the 60's British invasion".The group's sound has been likened to Mumford and Sons, The Band, and early Radiohead.

Blackmore's Night is releasing their brand new album, DANCER AND THE MOON, on June 11th in North America on Frontiers Records.

Ireland's premier acoustic band Lúnasa is releasing their first new recording in three years on April 16, the much-anticipated new album, LÚNASA WITH THE RTÉ CONCERT ORCHESTRA, on Lúnasa Records via City Hall Distributors (in the U.S.). LÚNASA WITH THE RTÉ CONCERT ORCHESTRA is a musical collaboration that marks a true first for the all-star Irish traditional band and the world-renowned national orchestra of Ireland.

Joanna Borromeo (pronounced “Boro-May-o”), the Calgary-based singer and pianist has spent nearly a decade working with some of the biggest names in Canadian soul, pop and beyond, from Juno-winning songstress Divine Brown to acclaimed East Coaster David Myles. She has supported them at festivals and concert halls on three continents, fleshing out their sound and finding inspiration of her own.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Bombino at the Fox Theatre on Thursday, May 30th. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Friday, March 1st for $15.00.Bombino was raised as a Muslim and taught to consider honor, dignity and generosity as principal tenets of life.

Z2 Entertainment is proud to present Hilltop Hoods with Sims (of Doomtree) at the Fox Theatre on Thursday, May 2nd. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 22nd for $18.00 in advance and $20.00 day of show.While Australian Hip Hop continues to break new ground, there is only one act synonymous with the term ground-breaking.

Henry Wagons last week released his first between-band-albums solo recording, Expecting Company?, on Thirty Tigers in the U.S. and Six Shooter in Canada. The release follows the artist’s critically acclaimed U.S. debut effort, Rumble Shake & Tumble, with his band, Wagons.With favorable reviews starting to gather, Henry will head to the U.S.