Advertisement
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.Suntou Susso is 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.
Suntou is from a renowned kora playing family going back some 700 years. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy life-affirming, healing music from a rich cultural tradition in an intimate setting…a real treat!
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.
A key member of Norway-based 'Kristin Asbjornsen Trio', he co-composed and recorded a successful album, performing at Jazz festivals around Europe. 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 with orchestral productions and across the festival circuit including WOMAD, Hay Festival, Beyond the Border and more.
In The Gambia, Suntou has a huge fan base and has released successful singles and videos. These continue to receive daily exposure on national TV and radio.
He also runs fun and engaging drumming and Kora workshops in schools, colleges and universities to pass this knowledge on to the next generation including Project African Experience for Black History Month
________________________________________________________________________
Cormac de Barra
Cormac de Barra comes from a family of traditional Irish musicians and singers, and first studied Irish harp with his grandmother, Róisín Ní Shé. He was awarded a scholarship to study concert harp in the United States at the age of fourteen. At the Dublin Feis Ceoil Cormac has won both the under eighteen harp competition and the O’Carolan Cup. His performing career has taken him to places as far away as Africa and Asia, where he spent six months playing at Expo ‘90 in Osaka, Japan and to Spain where he also spent six months playing at Expo ‘92 in Seville. While in Japan he gave a command performance for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at their Imperial Palace. He has performed extensively and given workshops throughout Europe and the USA in addition to making several recordings of traditional music with other members of his family. Cormac presented the award-winning traditional music series Flosc on TG4. He has also been involved in music for theatre, performing in a number of productions including The Cúchulainn Cycle by W. B. Yeats and Mysteries 2000 at the SFX, both directed by Michael Scott and the first tour of Irish Modern Dance Theatre’s Slam. Cormac also collaborated on the music and lyrics for Siamsa Tíre’s latest production Tearmann. Performing with singer and actress Hazel O’Connor he has toured Britain, Europe, the United States and Australia. Cormac released his first solo CD Barcó in 2002 to much critical acclaim. He has toured internationally and recorded several albums with Moya Brennan of Clannad.
www.cormacdebarra.com
________________________________________________________________________
Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich
Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich, a traditional singer from Corca Dhuibhne,West Kerry Gaeltacht graduated with a B.A in Early and Modern from Irish Trinity College Dublin and a H.Dip in Ed. from TCD, Diploma in Folklore University College Galway. She lectures in Amhránaíocht at TU Dublin Conservatoire where she was appointed Adjunt Professor in 2015. She is a founder member of MACALLA, an all women’s traditional band with two albums, ‘Mná na hÉireann’ and ‘Macalla 2’. She has also released her own solo album, ‘Taobh na Gréine/Under the Sun’ Gael linn and ‘Suailcí Sona’, an album with her sister Caitlín, and brother Seamus. Seosaimhín has travelled widely and has a special interest in Scots Gaelic traditional songs.
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
An Grianán ICA, Drogheda, Ireland
Tickets
