Robert Everest travels the world through music and language

by Euan Kerr, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — When Twin Cities-based guitarist Robert Everest performs, he takes his audiences around the world -- at least linguistically.

Not only does he play instruments from many cultures, he sings in a broad assortment of different languages.

"I've heard from several people that the part of the brain that processes language and music is kind of the same area, although some people have a much more mathematical approach to music and they are processing it on the other side of the brain," he said. "But that's not my style at all. I feel music like I feel language."

Trained as a linguist, Robert Everest sings in seven languages, and plays music from South America, Europe and West Africa on his latest CD.

It's called "The World on Seven Strings," a nod to a special guitar he plays.

He said while he has traveled widely and played since he was a teenager, it was a standing hometown gig which brought language and music together.

Robert Everest will play the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis on Thursday. He still regularly plays Sunday Brunch at Maria's Cafe.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 07/07/2010, 4:51 p.m.
• All Things Considered, 07/07/2010, 6:18 p.m.