The kora is a West African harp instrument with 21 strings, traditionally played by men. Sona Jobarteh has broken with this old rule! She plays the kora standing up and demonstrates her complex musical skills on stage as the front woman of her own band. She learned the instrument from her brother at the age of four and laid the foundation for her international career. Sona later studied music at the Royal College of Music, composition at the Purcell School of Music and African Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. In her compositions, she uniquely combines the influences of modern music with traditional African music, thus remaining connected to the roots of her homeland.
For several years Sona has also been socially engaged by founding the “Amadu Bansang Jobarteh School” in The Gambia, where children can study the traditional music of their homeland.
Line-Up
Sona Jobarteh – voc, kora
Sidiki Jobarteh – Balafon
Eric Appapoulay – guit, voc
Mamadou Sarr – perc, voc
Andi McLean – bass, voc
Yuval Wetzler – dr, voc
On Tour
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