For decades, the folk music scene has inhabited an underground network of house parties. Ordinary living rooms, even in San Antonio, become coffee houses where the fare is potluck, seating overflows to the floor and music is authentic. Such hootenannies have reached a high level of sophistication thanks to Musical Bridges Around the World, the local producer of multicultural performances by classical, jazz and, yes, folk musicians. In support of the organization’s free concerts and educational programs, its “Musica Viva!” series allows those who donate $1,000, and paying guests, to hobnob with visiting artists and hear intimate...

Anthony Dean-Harris Editor-in-Chief anthony.deanharris@nextbop.com / @i_ADH Guitarist Rez Abbasi has been on the scene for a little while now, steadily building his credibility as a world class talent. His work bouncing back and forth between electric and acoustic has received plaudits all around. Just this past week, his latest trio release, Continuous Beat (Abbasi’s first trio recording with John Hébert on drums and Satoshi Takeishi on bass) has been ranked #1 on the CMJ jazz radio listings. It’s because of his distinct sound, built by his Pakistani heritage largely shaded by his American upbringing, that San Antonio arts...