Renowned jail (griot) musician Foday Musa Suso is set to perform Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Roulette in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. Known for his mesmerizing concerts of traditional Manding music, as well as for his cutting-edge musical encounters, kora meaestro Foday Musa Suso is a Manding jali (oral historian and praise singer) from Gambia. He became the first kora player to establish himself in the United States.
Foday Musa Suso has written many original compositions and collaborated, toured and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Jack DeJohnette, Ginger Baker, the Kronos Quartet, and the Mandingo Griot Society. His discography includes: Kora Music From The Gambia, Mandingo Griot Society, Hand Power, Sound-System, Village Life, Mansa Bendung, The Dreamtime, Music from the Screens, Jali Kunda: Griots Of West Africa & Beyond, Music from the Hearts of the Masters, and The Two Worlds.
He has a long history of collaboration and performance with distinguished composer Philip Glass, appearing together at major venues throughout the world. In this New York program, Foday will perform both traditional and original works. The concert is co-presented with Lotus Music & Dance.
Jalis (also known as griots) are a living library for the community, providing history, entertainment, and wisdom while playing and singing their songs. The history of empires and kingdoms, tribal conflicts, cultural heroes, and family lineage are all part of a jali’s traditional repertoire. It is an extensive verbal and musical heritage that can only be passed down within a jali family.
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue (at 3rd Avenue), Downtown Brooklyn
Tickets: $30; students, seniors $26
Box office (917) 267-0363
Information and tickets: http://www.robertbrowningassociates.com/foday.html
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
