December 2024 on iwonder – highlights include Cu-Bop Across the Border, Blues on Beale, Panomundo and Beyond the Grace Note.
From Blues legends in Memphis to the soulful steel drums of Trinidad, from the women rewriting classical music’s rules to Afro-Cuban jazz masters connecting Havana and New York – these are the stories behind the sounds.
Cu-Bop Across the Border
Afro-Cuban Jazz. Havana. New York.
When Afro-Cuban jazz legends César López and Axel Tosca reunite, sparks fly. López, Cuba’s premier saxophonist, has played with icons like Sting and Herbie Hancock, while Tosca blends his Cuban roots with the energy of New York. Together, they create a jam session in Havana that celebrates the rich heritage of Afro-Cuban jazz and its modern evolution. This is more than a music documentary – it’s a story of exile, return, and the unbreakable pull of home.
Launches 9 December
Why watch it:
• Features Cuban saxophone legend César López and rising star Axel Tosca
• Explores the African roots of Cuban jazz and its modern evolution
Blues on Beale
Memphis. Beale Street. World’s largest Blues competition.
aunches 3 December
The biggest Blues competition on Earth happens right here on Beale Street, Memphis—the birthplace of the Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll. This is where hundreds of musicians from all over the globe come to battle it out, vying for glory on music’s most iconic stage. Featuring Grammy-winners like Bobby Rush and Shemekia Copeland alongside rising stars, this is Blues at its rawest and most electrifying.
Why watch it:
• The world’s largest Blues competition in the world in Memphis, USA
• Grammy-winners and rising stars – all on the same stage
Panomundo – Parts 1 & 2
Steel Drums: From the Streets of Trinidad to the World
Launches 5 December
Discover the fascinating evolution of the steelpan, the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century. Born in Trinidad & Tobago, this instrument is both a symbol of resilience and a global cultural phenomenon, influencing music in countries like Canada, Japan, and Switzerland.
Why watch it:
• Cultural icon: Discover the story of how a simple oil drum became a cultural icon
• Cultural Diplomacy: Discover its influence in Canada, Japan, Switzerland, and beyond
Beyond the Grace Note
Classical Music. Female conductors.
For centuries, orchestras were a boys’ club. Beyond the Grace Note shatters that myth, following female conductors who’ve overcome biases to lead some of the world’s most celebrated orchestras. Featuring stars like Marin Alsop and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, this is a rare glimpse into what it takes to command not just the music, but the respect of an entire orchestra.
Learn what it takes to command the podium, inspire orchestras to bring music to life, and overcome prejudices such as:
“Women cannot possibly tackle the more masculine classical repertoire like Beethoven or Verdi or Wagner or Rachmaninov. She should really be satisfied with lighter composers like Ravel or Chopin or at a pinch Mozart.”
Why watch it:
• Meet the women who’ve fought their way to the podium to rewrite the rules of classical music
• A revealing behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to be a conductor
About iwonder
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December 2024 on iwonder
