Grupo Fantasma will open this year's Great Performances billing for the 2008-09 season in Nashville Tennessee, which has just been announced.

The Latin-American funk group, heralding from Austin, Texas, kick off proceedings next month in what promises to be a truly great opening performance.

This will be Vanderbilt's 34th season programme and will no doubt see Nashville hotels filled for the schedule's top international acts, which will include the standout Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary in late spring.

Other notable performances this year include the Cie Heddy Maalem African dance company, which will take to the stage at Vanderbilt's Ingram Hall in October.

Commenting in the Tennessean, Vanderbilt's Bridgette Kohnhorst praised this season's line-up for its celebration of world music.

She told the newspaper: "We are in Music City and where, without a lot of sleuthing, do you consistently find world music?

"This year's Great Performances is no different, except that the series is offering international groups authentic to North America besides groups from abroad."

Grupo Fantasma's orchestral blend of funk, psychedelic and salsa can be seen at the Langford Auditorium on Friday, September 19th 2008.