Alsarah & The Nubatones: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

When singer Alsarah left her native Sudan, she was just a child who’d shown an interest in music. She’s said it served as her coping mechanism during a subsequent transition to life here in the U.S. That passion led her to a university degree in ethnomusicology. It also drew her to musicians who were passionate about the intersection of culture, music and migration. Together, their one-of-a-kind expression has been called “East African retro pop.“ But that tag only scratches the surface: In their hands, the music pulses, breathes and comes alive with a mix of tradition and contemporary influences. Alsarah and her band The Nubatones mesmerize and enchant in this performance behind Bob Boilen’s Desk. They undoubtedly opened new worlds for more than a few who saw the performance live, so it’s a pleasure to share it with the world. Manara is available now: iTunes: Amazon: Spotify: