kora playing

IMAGINARY TRADITIONS

With the project Imaginary Traditions I present traditional and original pieces for solo kora, the 22-24 strings west-African lute-harp.

I first started playing kora in 2021 and studied with several traditional players in Gambia and Europe: Sanjally Jobarteh, Jalikebba Kuyateh, Jalimansa Haruna Kuyateh, Alieu Saho.

Lately in Bamako, Mali, I have studied with Djelimadi Sissoko (National Arts Academy), Fode Seidy (Bamako Conservatoire, student of Ballake Sissoko) and Mohammed Kaneh among others, and had the pleasure of meeting and learning from Ballake Sissoko.

with Djelimadi Sissoko, cousin of Ballake Sissoko, important cultural figure in Bamako and teacher of traditional music at the National Accademy of Bamako
after Playing with Djelimadi, Fode Seydi, Diaralle and Fatoumata Diabate
learning with Fode Seydi, student of Ballake Sissoko and teacher at Bamako's Conservatoire
with Balla Diabate and Fode Seydi
playing with Fode and Djelimadi
at gathering of family and friends of Ballake Sissoko, playing my kora
recording a series of videos with singer Fatime Kuyateh and Fode Seyidi
playing with Djelimadi, Fode and "La Paix" Kaneh
Learning with Mohammed "La Paix" Kaneh
exchanging music at the Accademy of Arts
with Jali Mansa Haruna Kuyateh
learning from Jaly Hammey Saho in Brikama, Gambia

I’ve been transcribing and studying a variety of modern and historical recordings from Toumani Diabate, Ballake Sissoko, Tatadindin Jobarteh, Sekou Batourou Kuyaté, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, Jali Nyama Suso, Alagi MBye, among others.

While digging deeper into this beautiful oral tradition I kept finding personal music interpretations, variations, new synthesis of various versions and playing styles. I soon realized that these experiences form exactly the mechanism that allows an oral traditions to grow, evolve and transform over time. Eventually I started to organize my insights into whole new arrangements of these traditional pieces.

Building my own instrument has also been proven to be a source of great inspiration. My latest build is a state-of-the art chromatic kora with harp levers and a polyphonic per-string pickup system that sound rich both acoustically and amplified and has received many praises in Bamako.

my latest 24 strings with harp levers, poly pickup and separable neck
24 per-string poly pickup
neck joint and latch
removable neck for easy flying
ready for flying
my traditional kora

My original compositions are also influenced by early baroque music as well as indian classical, which I have been studying from time to time, therefore giving life to a body of “imaginary” traditional repertoire.

I collaborate often with venezuelan guitarist Mauricio Vivas, who’s also in love with Mande music, and pianist Hakim Azmi.

I’m currently working on my first solo EP which is due to be released January 2026 and could also have as guest the Leipzig Balinesian Gamelan Orchestra.