Travel Notes

In this episode of Travel Notes, Grace McNally talks with Sicilian folk musician Michela Musolino about her music and musical journey as a Sicilian American. Together they discuss the rituals, traditions, people and idiosyncrasies surrounding Sicilian folk music. Now a resident of Memphis, Tennessee - Michela illustrates the similarities she hears between Sicilian folk music and the blues from the...

In this episode of Travel Notes Season 2 Episode 2, I’m joined by Dan Rosenberg, a Toronto based journalist and music producer. He has traveled to more than 40 countries producing reports for the Rough Guides, The Times (UK), The Huffington Post, plus Cafe International, Toronto’s Classical FM, Afropop Worldwide, NPR’s Artbeat, CBC News and other radio programs. He has produced over 60 critically-...

Season 2 of Travel Notes is officially here! I can't think of a better way to kick off season 2 than with the wonderful Ukrainian classical guitarist, Ulyana Machneva. Ulyana began playing classical guitar at age six and she currently teaches, composes and performs in Charleston, SC. Her career has taken her around the world and her pieces have been performed in numerous countries. We talk about U...

It’s Episode 12 and Travel Notes is officially 1 year old! In today’s show we are joined by a special guest, South African guitarist Derek Gripper. We dive deep into the nitty-gritty, not so pretty side of the classical guitar, explore the connection between kora master Toumani Diabate and JS Bach, talk about lessons Derek has learned from studying kora music and how he has applied them to the cla...

In episode 11 of Travel Notes, host Grace McNally is joined with Azato, the artist behind a 7 piece Honolulu based world roots/reggae band who blend together Afro Cuban, Jazz, Blues, Hawaiian, Samoan, classical, and African elements into their music. They talk about the message and inspiration behind Azato’s debut album, Love is the Conqueror and explore topics such as the Hawaiin renaissance, cul...

In episode 10 of Travel Notes, we explore how traditional Irish music crossed the Atlantic and wove its way into the fabric of American country music. Host Grace McNally interview’s her friend and colleague, Chris Kirschbaum, as they discuss his connection to Ireland, pub culture, Irish traditional music’s influence on American country music and much more!

In episode 9 of Travel Notes, I sit down with Susto’s Justin Osborne to talk about an influential trip to Cuba and the connection between Cuban trova music and American troubadours such as John Prine. We talk about Susto’s new album, Time in the Sun and the common themes throughout the album such as the joys and suffering of life, mental health and spirituality.

In this month’s episode of Travel Notes, we cross the pond to Senegal, Africa, a country very close to my heart. Quick back story: My parents met, fell in love and got married in Senegal and Senegalese artists such as Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal filled our childhood home. From Peter Gabriel to Mumford and Sons, Senegalese musicians have made an impact on the world music stage. Join host Grace Mc...

In episode 7 of Travel Notes, host Grace McNally sits down with Dr. Michael O'brien - multi-instrumentalist, ethnomusicologist and head of the Music Department at the College of Charleston. Together they explore an Argentinian carnival art called the Murga Porteña, and specifically a character named the Bombo con Platillo who plays an instrumental and sometimes controversial roll not only in carni...

Travel Notes is a show that uses music as a medium to explore the world and ways in which we are all connected. Join host, Grace McNally, as we travel from the deserts of Africa to the beaches of Brazil - listening, dancing and talking with musicians who illustrate the richness of the music, culture and its' connection to other parts of the world. Have a question, feedback or want to request a des...

In Travel Notes Episode 6, I sit down with my good friend and local musician - Gino Castillo to explore Afro Cuban Music. We talk about its' roots, role in the community and how shares similarities with other African influenced musical genres across the Americas. We dive into some of Cuba’s other musical genres as well and listen to Afro Cuban jazz group Irakere, Buena Vista Social Club singer Ibr...

In this episode of Travel Notes I sit down with Oud player, Peter Kfoury, to discuss all things Oud. We explore its’ history, learn about a historical renaissance man who is responsible for toothpaste to introducing the Oud to Europe and listen to and discuss a few of Peter’s compositions. You are guaranteed to learn something new and have a g(oud) time!

They have a saying in Cambodia, that music is the soul of a nation. In episode 4 of Travel Notes we find out exactly what that means when it comes to Cambodia’s rich and complex music and political history. Tune in!

Listeners will explore Gullah spiritual music, one of the oldest folk music traditions in America, native to the beautiful city of Charleston, SC. I sat down with Ms. Lynette White founder of the Plantations Singers, a world renowned Gullah a cappella percussion gospel group. We talked about who the Gullah Geechie people are, their history and wonderfully rich spiritual musical tradition.

This episode we go south of the equator! Listeners will feel the Carnival spirit and Brazilian sun via the Afro Brazilian musical styles that originate in the magical city of Salvador de Bahia. Pack your sunscreen and dancing shoes!

In this episode, we will cross the Atlantic to Mali, African and explore the link between Malian kora music and the American Mississippi delta blues.