Music of the West African Kora Comes to Farmington

Audience members will learn about the history of the kora, how it is built, who typically plays it, and the types of events it is often utilized. I share some of my personal experiences while studying in West Africa and being hosted by the family of my teachers. I will generally conclude with a brief Q&A before the final song.

Sean Gaskell features songs on the kora- a 21-stringed West African harp. He studied under the extensive instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh in Gambia, and both Youssoupha Cissokho and Mamadou Cissokho in Senegal. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800-year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire.