Suntou Susso Solo

Multi-instrumentalist from Gambia - on tour

Suntou is a multi-instrumentalist: Kora player, percussionist, singer and composer from The Gambia, born a Griot in a 700-year old tradition. The Kora – harp-lute with 22 strings – is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people. Griots have a unique societal role as oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people’s culture through the generations in song, music and poetry.

Suntou’s family includes some of the world’s most well-respected West African musicians. His musical abilities are outstanding, perhaps unique for his generation. An in-demand and charismatic performer, he attracted attention as soon as he arrived on the UK music scene.

Spend an evening soaking in the beautiful music of the kora, an enchanting 22-stringed harp that originates from the Mandinka people of West Africa.Join Suntou Susso – a charismatic and engaging Gambian master musician, singer, composer and kora player – performing the traditional kora songs of his culture as well as his own music. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy life-affirming, healing music from a rich cultural tradition in an intimate setting…a real treat!

Collaborations to date: Celebrated jazz singer Sarah-Jane Morris, Guitarist Tony Remy – Ronnie Scotts, Ghazalaw –Indian–Welsh fusion project on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6, Davide Mantovani, Kora and Modern Jazz fusion, Opera singer Pumeza Matshikiza – performing on ITV’s This Morning.

As an acknowledged master of the Kora, Suntou was invited to perform alongside world famous Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour at the O2 in 2018. An impressive moment for any young musician and a seal of approval from the legendary artist. Here in the UK he also performs classical Kora as a solo artist at sizable theatres and across the festival circuit including WOMAD, Hay Festival, Beyond the Border and more.

To hear these haunting sounds for yourself, go to https://youtu.be/0Sooiu8QNZ8