Everyone loves kora. As soon as some experienced fingertips juggle through the 21 strings of the West African instrument, you can’t help but close your eyes and dream (or daydream).
On 18th August, in Camden, get ready to spend a few hours doing just that, when two remarkable kora players will monopolise the attention of the Jazz Café’s audience, presenting two inspiring, as much as diverse, ways to exhibit the kora.
Both Senegalese Seckou Keita and Gambian JallyKebbaSusso have dedicated their lives to music and those 21 strings (that become 22 when it comes to Seckou). They started as tradition bearers, bringing forward the teachings of their elders (both being part of griot families), but throughout the years, they developed a new approach to the instrument, moving towards more contemporary, urban and jazzier sonorities and broadening its horizons with the most diverse collaborations.
Despite there being no International Day dedicated to kora yet, Sunday 18th August might be a fitting choice, so head for Jazz Café to celebrate.
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