PABLO MILANéS The veteran Cuban singer, now based in Spain, once sang the glories of the Cuban Revolution, but is most famous now, at 73, for his ballads. Sept. 16. Tickets: $50-$185. Orpheum Theatre. 617-482-0106, www.crossroadspresents.com/ orpheum-theatre
LEE “SCRATCH’’ PERRY There’s no one on the planet like Perry, the eccentric reggae genius and dub pioneer. A sound artist and modern mystic, now 80 years old and going strong. Sept. 23, Tickets: $25. Brighton Music Hall. 617-779-0140, www.crossroads presents.com/brightonmusichall
THE DHOL FOUNDATION Johnny Kalsi’s London-based group, one of Britain’s biggest bhangra acts, absorbs influences from rock to Celtic music into its spectacular pageant of drumming. Sept. 25. Tickets: $20 advance. The Sinclair. 617-547-5200, www.sinclair cambridge.com
VIJAY SHIVA A visit from one of today’s most prominent Carnatic (South Indian) classical singers is a highlight of the new season of long-running MIT-based Indian arts organization MITHAS. Oct. 2. Tickets: $30; free for students and members. Wong Auditorium, MIT, 617-258-7971, www.mithas.org
HENRY COLE & VILLA LOCURA Puerto Rican drummer Henry Cole spans jazz, rock, Afrobeat, and myriad Latin styles, uniting them with virtuosity and enthusiasm. His band performs in the cultural heart of Puerto Rican Boston, Villa Victoria in the South End. Oct. 7. Tickets: $20-$35. Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. 617-927-1737, www.ibaboston.org
OMARA PORTUONDO Portuondo became known to a broad audience via the Buena Vista Social Club, but she’s been a key figure in Cuban music since the 1950s. Now 85, she’s touring with an all-star band including saxophone and clarinetist Anat Cohen and violinist Regina Carter. Oct. 12. Tickets: $30-79. Sanders Theatre. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org
FELABRATION BOSTON 2016 Fela Kuti’s birthday is cause for celebration in the world Afrobeat community; here, Boston’s top Afrobeat band Federator No. 1 and the global-music DJ-led crew Uhuru Afrika do the honors. Oct. 15. Tickets: $15 advance. Middle East. 864-3278, www.mideastclub.com
MASHKOOR ALI KHAN The season’s top Hindustani (North Indian) classical concert brings a distinguished vocalist and one of the main living figures in the music’s Kirana style, which produced masters such as Bhimsen Joshi. Oct. 15. Tickets: $30; free for students and members. Wong Auditorium, MIT. 617-258-7971, www.mithas.org
FALU’S BOLLYWOOD ORCHESTRA Falguni “Falu’’ Shah, a fine Indian vocalist based in New York, has formed a multiethnic orchestra to approach in new ways the classic Bollywood repertoire of the 1960s and 1970s. A benefit concert for Burlington-based Desai Foundation. Nov. 3. Tickets: $49. Middle East. 864-3278, www.mideastclub .com
RADIO JAROCHO The New York City band is devoted to son jarocho, the folk music of Mexico’s Veracruz region, with faithful interpretations of folk classics as well as original compositions that integrate fresh influences. Nov. 4. Tickets: $9. Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. 617-927-1737, www.ibaboston.org
SEU JORGE In tribute to the late David Bowie, the Brazilian singer-guitarist Seu Jorge performs the program of soulful Bowie covers that he developed for the 2004 film “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.’’ Nov. 9. Tickets: $62-$352. Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, www.bso.org
PEDRITO MARTINEZ GROUP The New York-based Cuban percussionist returned to Havana to record his latest album, and came back more vibrant and dynamic than ever. An exciting and generous performer, helming a top Afro-Cuban ensemble. Nov. 12. Tickets: $28. Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. 617-876-4275, www.world music.org
THE MUSIC OF WANG LEEHOM The Taiwan-based, chart-topping Chinese pop superstar and film actor is also a Berklee College of Music graduate. He returns to Boston to perform with a Berklee student ensemble dedicated to his repertoire. Nov. 13. Tickets: $38.50-$108. Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, www.bso.org
LAS CAFETERAS & LA YEGROS A double bill of progressive Latin American music: Las Cafeteras make Afro-Mexican roots music crystallized in East LA, while Argentine singer-rapper La Yegros is a leading figure on the Buenos Aires electro-cumbia scene. Nov. 19. Tickets: $25. Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org
BOUBACAR TRAORE A season rich with visits from global-music elders winds down with one of the finest: incomparably soulful Malian singer Boubacar Traoré, a pioneer of African rock in the 1960s and a wistful, gracious presence (and great guitarist) to this day. Dec. 3. Tickets: $28. Villa Victoria Center for the Arts. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org
Siddhartha Mitter
Siddhartha Mitter can be reached at siddharthamitter@gmail.com.
