Tom Schnabel

Tom Schnabel is an internationally recognized radio producer, pioneer, and innovator in world music.

Tom Schnabel is an internationally recognized radio producer, pioneer, and innovator in world music.

He helped introduce world music to American audiences as KCRW’s first music director and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic (1979-1991).

Tom is the author of two books ("Stolen Moments: Conversations with Contemporary Musicians" and "Rhythm Planet: The Great World Music Makers"), and numerous articles about music.

He has produced a number of recordings (Trance Planet, vols. 1–5), and provides music supervision for advertising and movies. He has also served as program director for the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and continues to host weekly music shows for KCRW.  

His world music blog, Rhythm Planet, launched in May 2013.

Tom has degrees from USC (BA, Humanities), The Sorbonne (Diplome Semestrielle) and UCLA (MA, Comparative Literature.

Tom has taught in Los Angeles (UCLA Extension, Southern California Institute of Architecture, Mt. Saint Mary’s College) and in Paris (Ecole Universelle).

Tom now has over 20 years of experience teaching world music and currently offer weekly music salons at my home. 

"Music has always been my first love and passion."

BossaCucaNova

There's a new kind of bossa nova coming from the group BossaCucaNova

Tom Schnabel from KCRW shares some of the music from a new CD by a group that is updating bossa nova.

There's a new kind of bossa nova coming from the group BossaCucaNova
"Viva Africando" CD Cover.

'Viva Africando' is a love letter from West Africa to Latin salsa

'Viva Africando' is a love letter from West Africa to Latin salsa

Banda Magda: From Brazilian Bossa Nova to Frothy French Pop

Banda Magda: From Brazilian Bossa Nova to Frothy French Pop
The World

Afro-Funk & Soul From the 1970s and Today

Afro-Funk & Soul From the 1970s and Today

Caravan Palace: Electro-Swing from France

Caravan Palace: Electro-Swing from France

Musicians from Germany and Senegal Collaborate for 'Amanké Dionti'

Musicians from Germany and Senegal Collaborate for 'Amanké Dionti'

World-Class Jazz Musicians Come Together for 'Alma'

Paolo Fresu, Omar Sosa and Jaques Morelenbaum have come together to release a new CD called "Alma."

World-Class Jazz Musicians Come Together for 'Alma'

Top Music Picks of 2011

The World's guest DJs from around the globe for their favorite music picks of 2011.

Top Music Picks of 2011

Chinese Band Haya

The band "Haya" sings songs about nature and the Mongolian grasslands in its new album "Migration."

Chinese Band Haya

'Afro Latin Via Cotonou' from Benin

Tom Schnabel's DJ pick for today is vintage music from Cotonou, Benin. It's music recorded in the 1960s and 70s that has never been released in the United States before. The 2-CD set is part of a series called AfroLatin.

'Afro Latin Via Cotonou' from Benin

Cuban Flutist Orlando Maraca Valle

Tom Schnabel shares one of his favorite new recording by Cuban artist Orlando Maraca Valle.

Cuban Flutist Orlando Maraca Valle
The World

Music Picks For Summer 2011

What are you taking to the beach this summer?

Music Picks For Summer 2011

Vietnamese-French Guitarist Nguyên Lê

Tom Schnabel tells us about a new recording from Vietnamese-French guitarist Nguyan Lao.

Vietnamese-French Guitarist Nguyên Lê

Sa Dingding's 'Harmony'

In today's global hit Tom Schnabel of KCRW brings us the latest CD from Chinese singer Sa Dingding.

Sa Dingding's 'Harmony'
The World

Algerian singer Souad Massi's "O Houria"

Music critic Tom Schnabel tells us about the new CD by Algerian singer Souad Massi. It's called "O Houria" or Liberty.

Algerian singer Souad Massi's "O Houria"