Music of Senegal and the Gambia

World Classics Series presents Senegalese kora player Kadialy Kouyaté & Gambian balafon (xylophone) player Sefo Kanuteh in duo at St Ives Arts Club

World Classics Series
St Ives Arts Club, Westcott’s Quay, St Ives TR26 2DY
Concert 45 – Music of Senegal and the Gambia
Friday 26th January 2024, 7pm (Doors 6:30pm)
Kadialy Kouyaté, kora & Sefo Kanuteh, balafon
Tickets £22: from Will Sleath – 07946 515538 or [email protected]

Following on from a sell-out sitar & tabla recital, the World Classics Series now presents a concert at which kora player/singer Kadialy Kouyaté and balafon player Sefo Kanuteh will be performing music from West Africa.

Kadialy has previously featured in the series as a soloist, and in duo with fula flute and ngoni. He is a southern Senegalese jeli or griot – a troubadour/historian who passes on ancient traditions and stories through song and performance. Venues where he has performed include the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, the National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, and he has appeared throughout Europe, as well as in Australia and North America. Kadialy has also taught kora (a long-necked harp/lute) at SOAS University of London for the past decade.

Sefo is a balafon and kora player from the Gambia who has worked with Baaba Maal and the BKO Quintet, and who also makes all his own instruments. He comes from a long musical line, his uncle having taught him the balafon (African xylophone) and his father’s kora-playing having motivated him to learn that instrument. Sefo’s favourite aspect of performing is sharing his culture with audiences, inspiring them to adopt a more joyous way of life through music.

Kadialy lives in London and Sefo is Norwich-based. This St Ives recital will be their only appearance in the Westcountry this year.