sky balla | zh

Hank Ballard (November 18, 1936 – March 2, 2003), born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s. He played an integral part in the development of the genre, releasing the hit singles "Work With Me, Annie" and answer songs "Annie Had a Baby" and "Annie's Aunt Fannie" with his Midnighters. He later wrote and recorded "The Twist" which spread the popularity of the dance and was notably covered by Chubby Checker. He...

Balla Tounkara, a traditional griot from Mali, learned the Kora in the manner of his ancestors, from his father. Needless to say that Balla is also a virtuoso at the complex instrument. Like his ancestors, Balla plays the Mande repertoire; in addition, he incorporates other west African musical sensibilities and tradition as well as world sounds, Afro-Cuban. Balla moved to Boston a little over 10 years ago where he has graced many a stage from weddings, naming ceremonies in the manner of his ancestors, but also international venues. (more later. .

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1. Robert Ballard (ca. 1572 or 1575, probably in Paris – after 1650) was a prominent French lutenist and composer. His father, Robert Ballard Senior (ca. 1527-1588) was the head of the well-known music publishers, "Le Roy and Ballard", founded in 1551 with cousin Adrian Le Roy (a notable virtuoso lutenist and composer of the period). From 1612 he entered the service of the French Regent, Maria de Medici, and was tutor to the young King Louis XIII, becoming a lutenist and composer (musicien ordinaire du roi) at the royal court in 1618. He published two books of lute works...

Iain Ballamy (born 20th February 1964 in Guildford) is a British soprano, alto and tenor saxophone player. Renowned in Europe as the "Fantastic Englishman", Ballamy established himself playing alongside notables including Hermeto Pascoal, the late Gil Evans, George Coleman, Dewey Redman, Mike Gibbs, and the New York Composers Orchestra. Touring extensively world-wide he has appeared at most international festivals and venues. Ballamy can be heard on over forty CDs. A long-time collaborator with Django Bates, since the days of Loose Tubes and Bill Bruford's Earthworks he is currently a member of Bates's 'Human Chain' and 'Delightful Precipice'. Parallel to his...