Around the World in 30 Days With September’s Lineup

Every month is world music month in Los Angeles, of course. That’s one of the perks of living in such a rich, multi-everything community.

But even by L.A. standards, September offers an extraordinary collection of events, from Indian and African music to the appearance--within a brief, 10-day period--of three of Brazil’s most important pop music divas.

The only problem with this cornucopia of musical fare is the fact that anyone trying to experience it all is occasionally going to have to figure out a way to be in two, and sometimes three, places at once.

To help make choices, here’s a Global Sounds Guide for this active period.

The events are rated:

Three stars: Don’t miss it.

Two stars: First-rate.

One star: Worth the effort.

* Tonight. Fantcha, a Cape Verdean singer and a protegee of the inimitable Cesaria Evora, performs in a Grand Performances event at the California Plaza. Info: (213) 687-2159. **

* Tonight through Sunday. Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry and the young Afro Cuban jazz band Columna “B” at the Jazz Bakery. The ensemble also performs with Bobby Carcasses in Saturday’s Latin Jazz Festival (see below). Info: (310) 271-9039. **

* Tonight through Monday. The Brazilian Music and Trade Festival at the African Marketplace and Cultural Fair in Cienega Park. Eight Brazilian groups appear on Sunday, celebrating the country’s Independence Day. Info: (310) 837-4291. *

* Saturday. The Latin Jazz Festival. A major-league lineup of Latin jazz artists, including Chico O’Farrill, Willie Colon, McCoy Tyner and the Latin Jazz All Stars and the Puerto Rican band Son Boricua. Greek Theatre. Info: (213) 480-7575. ***

* Wednesday through Sept. 10. Claudia Acuna. The Chilean-born jazz singer has been drawing rave reviews for her first album, “Wind From the South” (Verve). Jazz Bakery. Info: (310) 271-9039. **

* Sept. 9-10. The Master Musicians of Joujouka. The trance music of this legendary Moroccan ensemble has fascinated everyone from Brian Jones and Ornette Coleman to Paul Bowles and William Burroughs. Knitting Factory Main Performance Space. Info: (323) 463-0204. **

* Sept. 9. Forward Kwenda and Erica Azim. A program dedicated to the music and history of the Zimbabwean mbira (thumb piano). The CSUN Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. Info: (818) 677-3943. Also at the Agape Church on Sept. 10. Info: (310) 348-1260, Ext. 26. **

* Sept. 10. Daniela Mercury and Jorge Ben Jor. Mercury is a vivacious, highly spirited Brazilian singer-dancer often described as the “Queen of Samba Reggae.” Ben Jor is an equally energetic performer, perhaps best known in this country for his hit song, “Mas Que Nada.” Hollywood Bowl. Info: (323) 850-2000. ***

* Sept. 10. Alla Rakha Tribute. The life of the great Indian tabla player will be celebrated in appearances by his two tablaist sons, Zakir Hussain and Fazal Querishi, sitarist Niladri Kumar and violinist L. Shankar. Royce Hall, UCLA. Info: (310) 825-2101. ***

* Sept. 10. Cubanismo! The music of the explosive Cuban band--moving easily from jazz to dance rhythms--has been one of the high points of the recent torrent of exhilarating music from the Caribbean. Conga Room. Info: (323) 938-1696. ***

* Sept. 11. Oliver Mtukudzi. The veteran Zimbabwean singer-guitarist, like his predecessor Thomas Mapfumo, has been a pioneer in combining African pop rhythms with socially conscious lyrics. LunaPark. Info: (310) 652-0611. **

* Sept. 16-17. Singer-dancer Elba Ramalho, “the Tina Turner of Brazil,” makes her first Los Angeles appearance with singer-guitarist Geraldo Azevedo. The John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. Info: (323) 461-3673. ***

* Sept. 21. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Grammy Award- winning South African ensemble whose stirring voices were first heard in the West on Paul Simon’s 1986 “Graceland” album. The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Info: (800) 300-4345. ***

* Sept. 22. Marisa Monte, Brazil’s top-selling female pop star, performs material from a surprisingly intimate new album, “Memories, Chronicles and Declarations of Love: Proofs, Texts and Demands” (Metro Blue). Royce Hall, UCLA. Info: (310) 825-2101. ***

* Sept. 25. Willie & Lobo. The duo that balances somewhere between world music and new age. Roxy. Info: (310) 278-9457. *

* Sept. 28. Buena Vista Social Club vocalist Omara Portuondo with superb Cuban lutist Barbarito Torres in a program mixing Portuondo’s sultry love songs with Torres’ “musica guajira.” Royce Hall, UCLA. Info: (310) 825-2101. ***

* Sept. 29. Celtic/Scottish musician Dougie McLean (whose music was heard in the film “The Last of the Mohicans”). The CSUN Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. Info: (818) 677-3943. **

* Sept. 30. Omara Portuondo and Barbarito Torres. A second chance to hear them. Cerritos Performing Arts Center. Info: (800) 300-4345. ***

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Don Heckman can be reached by e-mail at djh@earthlink.net