Electric violinist L. Shankar plays everything from Indian classical to Western instrumental pop and worked with Frank Zappa. He makes a rare New York appearance on Sept. 27 at Roulette.

Songwriter Lotti Golden's Motor-Cycle, likely the first concept album by a female artist, had atypical song structures and arrangements. Golden sings that album at KGB Bar on Sept. 25. 

Aba Diop & the Yermande Family interweaves the griot storytelling traditions from thousands of years with Sufi mysticism and rock and jazz influences. They play at Joe's Pub on Sept.24. 

The legendary psych-cumbia collective Sonido Gallo Negro from Mexico City plays The Sultan Room on Sept. 23.

Homegrown Brooklyn bluegrass band Cole Quest & The City Pickers shred with high-spirited energy and that high lonesome sound, in-studio. 

The Mambo Legends Orchestra blends the rich melodies of Afro-Cuban and Latin culture, keeping classic mambo sounds alive. They play the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 20.

New York keyboardist and composer Lex Korten leads his unorthodox 5-piece band of piano, voice, alto saxophone, guitar and drums, Canopy, in new original works at CloseUp on Sept. 18-19.

Harpist Mary Lattimore ranges from rock, jazz, traditional folk and electronic music on her amplified and processed instrument. She plays a residency at Union Pool from Sept. 18-20.

Grammy-winning organist Paul Jacobs recreates the 1840 Leipzig concert in which Felix Mendelssohn played only Bach’s organ works on Sept. 16 at The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin