We celebrate one of West Africa’s most enduring musical legacies in the story telling and playing of the 21-string instrument, the kora, and the melodic percussive keys of the balafon.

Mamadou Diabate is the award winning balafon master and composer born in Burkina Faso. Explicit techniques allow Mamadou to play balafon solos, which create the impression that three bala-fonists are playing at once.

Diabel Cissokho’s musical pedigree is exceptional. He became Baaba Maal’s kora player and has toured internationally with his family’s band Bannaya, as well as with acclaimed musicians like Cheikh Lo, Ernest Ranglin and Youssou N’Dour.

** Due to the Parisian transport strikes currently ongoing, Sourakata Koité has been forced to cancel his performance with us tonight. He is ably replaced by Senegalese Kora player, Kadialy Kouyate **

Sourakata Koite is a Paris-based kora-player from Senegal. His 1984 debut album En Hollande was recently reissued by Awesome Tapes From Africa to widespread acclaim.