The Eight Fellows for 2022:

Shahab Azinmher (Iran/Belgium) – tar, setar, daf, voice

Born in Tehran and currently based Belgium, Shahab Azinmehr is a vocalist and virtuoso player of the tar – a long-necked, narrow-waisted lute-type instrument (from Persian: تار, literally “string”), found in many cultures in Iran, Azerbaijan, and further afield. With a background in the restoration of historical monuments, Shahab began his music career as a singer, later learning tar and setar under the guidance of masters including Mohammad Musavi and Dariush Talâ’i. Shahab has performed internationally, including as a member of Orpheus XXI ensemble under the supervision of Jordi Savall.
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Alaa Zouiten (Morocco/Germany) – oud

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, where he began his career as a master performer of the oud. Alaa moved to Germany in 2009, where he continued to experiment with the stylistic, technical and aesthetic possibilities of his instrument. In his compositions and arrangements, Alaa constantly seeks new musical perspectives. Alaa is currently working on his new album ‘Aficionado, Laùd Flamenco’, which combines two great musical traditions: flamenco, and Andalusian/north African music.
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Iona Lane (England/UK) – voice, guitar, shruti box

A Leeds-based folk singer and songwriter. Fascinated by folklore and folk stories, Iona’s music is inspired by natural landscapes, scientific discoveries, human relationships and the supernatural, all tied together by a strong sense of place and a love for being in wild places. Her long-awaited debut album, ‘Hallival’ (2022) – named after one of the mountains on the Scottish island of Rum – has received widespread praise from The Guardian, Songlines Magazine, and elsewhere.
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Malin Lewis (Scotland/UK) – pipes, whistle, pedals

A musician, composer, instrument maker, educator, and musical director from the Scottish Highlands. They play a range of instruments including various bagpipes, fiddle and whistle. Malin performs regularly across the UK with their trio, Malin Makes Music. Their music draws inspiration from piping traditions across Europe and features self-penned tunes as well as traditional melodies from Finland, Bulgaria and Galicia. Best known for playing smallpipes, mixed with live electronics, Malin continues to explore traditional elements while delving into new worlds of improvised and avant-garde bagpiping.
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Ranjana Ghatak (England/UK) – Indian classical vocals, tampura

A singer and composer embedded in the classical and devotional Hindustani vocal tradition. Born and raised in London, Ranjana has collaborated and performed with a host of celebrated artists including Nitin Sawhney, Jason Singh, and recently alongside James Yorkston and Jon Thorne (as Yorkston/Thorne/Ghatak). Her debut solo album, ‘The Butterfly Effect’, was released in 2020. As a composer, Ranjana’s works include a raga-inspired choral piece commissioned for the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
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Anna Ekborg (Sweden) – fiddle

Anna is a member of Sweden’s exciting new generation of talented young fiddle players. Drawing inspiration from her country’s rich fiddle playing traditions, Anna has built up an extensive and varied repertoire. In 2021, she released her critically-acclaimed debut album, ‘SOLO’. Nominated for a Swedish Grammy, the album has cemented Anna’s position as one of the most sought after young fiddle players in today’s Scandinavian folk scene.
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Lucie Hendry (Denmark/UK) – harp

A Scottish lever harpist and composer, based in Denmark. Interested in exploring the possibilities of the lever harp, Lucie is currently going about intertwining her folk music roots with influences from the Nordic jazz and wider music scene. Lucie’s upcoming debut solo album aims to take her instrument in new directions, with the involvement of several jazz musicians, while still respecting the essence of the lever harp tradition. Often inspired by the natural world and motivated by environmental issues, she has toured throughout the UK and elsewhere in Europe, and was a finalist of BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year in 2021.
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Cherif Soumano (Mali/France) – kora

A rising star of the kora, Cherif’s music is of its time, while being deeply and clearly rooted within the traditional Mande kora repertoire that his father passed onto him in his homeland of Mali. He has performed alongside renowned musicians including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and Roberto Fonseca, co-founded the World Kora Trio, and recorded for Marcus Miller. One of the most talented and expressive kora players of his generation
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About Making Tracks

Since 2010, Making Tracks has brought world-class and diverse music from all corners of the globe to a network of leading venues throughout the UK. Re-launched in 2019 their ambitious new model brings together exceptional young artists from the UK and around the world to showcase unique musical traditions with an annual residency and tour .

Making Tracks is based around the idea that musical encounters have the power to reach across social, cultural and geographical divides, while fostering a deeper appreciation of musical and cultural diversity.

Making Tracks also believes that musicians are in a unique position to inspire reverence for and engagement with the natural world. As part of its environmental focus, Making Tracks sees artists travelling to the UK by train, while the project is also introducing a new annual nature theme. The inaugural theme for 2022 is Birds.