KORA NIGHT (MALI-QC)
36th Edition, Festival International Nuits d'Afrique presents

KORA NIGHT (MALI-QC)

In-person Event
July 16th 2022
8:00 pm – 9:30 pm / Doors: 7:00 pm

1200 de Bleury, Montréal, QC, Canada
For more information about this event, please contact Productions Nuits d'Afrique at info@festivalnuitsdafrique.com.

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“My white twin!” That’s what the renowned kora master Toumani Diabaté called Derek Gripper after hearing his own music being played on the classical guitar. Ten years ago, with the help of a 500-year-old tablature, Derek Gripper launched into the somewhat perilous—despite his considerable talent and knowledge— undertaking of adapting kora music to a six-string guitar while retaining all the richness, subtlety and chord complexity of the majestic 21-string African harp. And it is with the utmost respect for the kora and its traditions that he accomplished this sensational feat, through which he pays tribute to the fabulous heritage of Mandinka music.

In 2015, Derek Gripper and the griot kora player Zal Sissokho—well known in Montreal and who, through his sincere kindness and commitment to his art, embodies all the values associated with his instrument—met backstage at a festival at Harare, Zimbabwe. Now they will share the stage to create moments of pure beauty under the favorable auspices of all those sages who have, since time immemorial, entrusted the iconic instrument with the mission of keeping West Africa’s traditions and rich culture alive.

A moment elevated by the powerful voice of Djely Tapa, the fabulous Malian griot singer named Radio Canada’s 2019 World Music Revelation and whose album Barokan won the 2020 Juno for Best World Music Album.

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“My white twin!” That’s what the renowned kora master Toumani Diabaté called Derek Gripper after hearing his own music being played on the classical guitar. Ten years ago, with the help of a 500-year-old tablature, Derek Gripper launched into the somewhat perilous—despite his considerable talent and knowledge— undertaking of adapting kora music to a six-string guitar while retaining all the richness, subtlety and chord complexity of the majestic 21-string African harp. And it is with the utmost respect for the kora and its traditions that he accomplished this sensational feat, through which he pays tribute to the fabulous heritage of Mandinka music.

In 2015, Derek Gripper and the griot kora player Zal Sissokho—well known in Montreal and who, through his sincere kindness and commitment to his art, embodies all the values associated with his instrument—met backstage at a festival at Harare, Zimbabwe. Now they will share the stage to create moments of pure beauty under the favorable auspices of all those sages who have, since time immemorial, entrusted the iconic instrument with the mission of keeping West Africa’s traditions and rich culture alive.

A moment elevated by the powerful voice of Djely Tapa, the fabulous Malian griot singer named Radio Canada’s 2019 World Music Revelation and whose album Barokan won the 2020 Juno for Best World Music Album.

Refunds
No refunds

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