Shamim Ahmed Khan was one of the most eloquent sitar players of his generation and scion of a family of hereditary Hindustani classical musicians which upheld and advanced a gharana, meaning a school or style of music-making, historically generally associated with a specific geographical seat, in this case the Agra Gharana. Agra would figure largely in his musical destiny, and bring him to the attention of his life-long guru, Ravi Shankar.

The recent Grammys awarded them Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo, which tells you that Joy Williams and John Paul White need no introduction (or genre) in the US.

We are overrun with singer-songwriters but you'd think a virtuoso violinist and whistler who sings about pollination and Petri dishes would stand out.

British Engelbert Humperdinck fans reacted with delight yesterday to the news their hero is to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song contest, expressing their hope that the assignment might finally earn the 75-year-old King of Romance his rightful recognition in his home country.

The Ting Tings threw away an album's worth of material before completing their new release, they tell Andy Gill

Unsung Briton sets pace at Phillip Island ahead of tomorrow's curtain-raiser to the Superbike season

The previous two albums from this North Carolina-based roots band boasted an excellent mix of traditional and contemporary songs but were stifled by an airless production which failed to capture their infectious live presence.

The Boss still fired up by demolition of American dream

Is it a tribal chant or a yodel? A squawk or a chirrup? Merrill Garbus - aka Tune-Yards - is back, after the triumphant critical success of last year's album whokill, and live she's as arresting as ever.

Every now and then, if you’re very lucky, you get to witness a live performance that blows everything else away. A gig that’s so inspiring it leaves you with a lasting smile etched on your face and a burning desire to download every track the artist has ever recorded. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Vieux Farka Touré.

For an overnight success, Gotye (pronounced “goaty-eh") is quite a slow burner. He’s been popular in Australia, his homeland, since his first single, "Learnalilgivinanlovin" was released in 2006.

The hotly tipped Swedish duo release new single "DJ Ease My Mind" on 27 February 2012. As a sneak peak to whet your appetites, here's a video of singer Malin Dahlstrom performing a lovely, understated acoustic version of the song in a garden.

Houston had the lungs of America. Her sheen appeared to fans intrinsic, permanent