Boston's best music: World, Jazz & Folk

David Wax Museum
David Wax Museum comes with some easy comparisons—Calexico, for example, for their spin on Mexican son, or Ollabelle for their reworked Americana. The band’s sound has echoes of danceable music from all over the world, from the polka to the tarantella. And by now, you’ve probably heard about the donkey jawbone resting innocently in the percussion section; it’s kind of a big deal. But underneath the novelty, there is both a joy and some serious music chops working together to put the group on the map. Having won over legions of fans at this year’s Newport Folk Festival—not to mention having played with Ben Kweller and the Avett Brothers—the David Wax Museum’s star is on the rise. Recent effort Carpenter Bird popped up on a few Best of 2009 lists, and a new disc is set to be released in early 2011.— Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong

Zili Misik
Zili Misik, a veritable Benetton ad of female musicians, has been providing Bostonians with an exuberant blend of Brazilian, Haitian and Afro-Cuban sounds since 2000. Recognition of their talent was initially slow, but in the past few years the accolades (a 2008 BMA for best international act, for example) have begun to roll in, and their profile has risen, having performed with such luminaries as Tony Brown, Queen Ifrica and Shaggy. Haiti has given them much, including a name–“Zili” is a derivative of Ezili, the Haitian goddess of love—and the group is adamant about giving back. This year’s Project Misik saw the group running music workshops on the island and donating instruments to children in Mirebelais, a city whose population has swelled in the wake of January’s disaster.— AGB

Omar Thomas
The term big band jazz tends to evoke thoughts of Benny Goodman, the Lindy Hop and an exciting time for music in bygone days. But Omar Thomas and his Large Ensemble are doing their best to bridge the gap between modern and classical jazz, and chart a path to the future. Thomas, a New England Conservatory alum and current Berklee faculty member, has been playing trombone since he was seven years old. He brings his years of musical and compositional expertise to bear at the head of a 17-piece musical ensemble composed largely of NEC and Berklee students and alumni. The group’s view of jazz is expansive, emotional and current, influenced by everyone from Pat Metheny to the Yellowjackets. Who said the good old days are gone?—AGB