Today on Travel Notes, we talk to musician and songwriter, Eljuri. Eljuri is a New Yorker, immigrant, Latina, woman, singer, and guitarist. Her greatest passions are songwriting and activism. Her music is a fusion of Latin, reggae and global rhythms with rock and funk. Her bilingual songs are socially conscious and about current global issues.

In her world, music and activism are positively intertwined. She seeks to empower not only the Latino community but all champions for human rights. She is an artivist (activist meets artist) whose bilingual songs are stories about resilience, resistance, civil rights, and saving the planet.

We talk about her musical influences, mission as an artist and activist and her most recent tour and project, Concerts for Democracy.

Eljuri Website - https://www.eljurimusic.com/

Concerts for Democracy - https://www.eljurimusic.com/tour-1

Travel Notes - https://www.gracemcnallymusic.com/travel-notes

In this episode of Travel Notes, we explore the vibrant city of Toronto through the music of KUNÉ, Canada’s Global Orchestra with special guests, Aline Morales & Matias Recharte. Formed in 2017 by The Royal Conservatory of Music, KUNÉ became an independent collective in 2021. This eleven-piece ensemble includes musicians from around the world, reflecting the cultural diversity of Toronto. We discuss how KUNÉ blends cultural traditions, fosters collaboration, and connects us all through their shared musical experience.

https://www.kuneworld.com/

https://www.alinemorales.com/

https://www.instagram.com/matiasrecharte/

https://www.gracemcnallymusic.com/

This month on Travel Notes we head north to Canada where we talk with Laura Risk, assistant Professor in the Music and Culture program of the Department of Arts, Culture and Media at the University of Toronto Scarborough and professional Scottish and Québécois fiddler. Her fiddling has been described by filmmaker Ken Burns as "a revelation and achingly beautiful” and Living Tradition hails her 'powerful, percussive style… bursting with energy and passion.”

Today, we dive into some of her research projects and explore tunes and musical traditions that are hundreds of years old with relations to music from all over the globe. We also listen to a few songs off her newest album, Traverse, which was released in 2023 and is a 10 track musical journey through traditional fiddle music.

https://laurarisk.com/

https://www.gracemcnallymusic.com/