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Sona Jobarteh, kora; Eric Appapoulay, guitar; Andi McLean, bass; Wes Joseph and Mamadou Sarr, percussion 

The men in her family have been musicians for over 700 years but she “didn’t want to be told ‘you are good for a woman.'” So she ripped up the rules.  She is the first professional female kora virtuoso to come from any of the West African Griot dynasties.  Backed up by her band, what she can do with this west African instrument is pure magic.

Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female kora virtuoso to come from any of the West African Griot dynasties. Her lineage includes kora masters Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, her grandfather, and the legendary Toumani Diabaté. 

The kora is a 21 stringed instrument. The sound resembles that of a harp, though when played in the traditional style it bears resemblance to a guitar. Kora players have traditionally come from families who are historians, genealogists and storytellers who pass their skills on to their descendants.

Sona’s virtuosity, distinctive voice, and on stage grace have combined to make her one of the world’s most sought-after world music artists. Since 2019 she has performed at the Hollywood Bowl, WOMAD, Symphony Space in New York City, and across Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

Sona founded the Gambia Academy in 2015. It is a pioneering institution dedicated to educational reform across the continent Africa. According to Sona, Africa faces the crucial and urgent challenge of addressing its education systems. Children who are fortunate enough to be able to attend school spend most of their waking hours in school. However in most cases the environment, culture, approach and curricula content within these schools are oriented around a post-colonial value system and foreign perspective. 

For Sona, it is detrimental for future generations of the continent whose values and concepts are shaped during their school years, to continue to be trained within a system where African culture, African history, African traditions and their intrinsic values are not emphasized. The Gambia Academy is therefore the first of its kind in the Gambia to deliver a mainstream academic curriculum at a high level, whilst also bringing the culture, traditions and history of Africa to the front and center of everyday education. 

_{This concert is generously sponsored by Mary Bucher, and Gil Feinberg and Nadeen Van Tuyle.} 

_{Sona Jobarteh’s appearance is generously underwritten by David and Susan Wood.}

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Sona Jobarteh