Amadu Bansang Jobarteh (kora, voice) was a jali: an oral historian and hereditary praise singer from among the Mandinka people of Gambia, West Africa. Amadu’s family background clearly illustrates the hereditary nature of jalis in West African society. In the late 1800s, and at the request of a Gambian chief, Amadu’s father Jali Fili Jobarteh emigrated from Mali and settled with his family in the town of Bansang. Although the father played koni, his children learned the kora, which was the favored instrument in that area of Gambia.
Amadu first learned kora from his elder brother Bala, whose son Sidiki Diabate is one of the most accomplished jalis in all of Mali. Sidiki’s son, Toumani Diabate, is well known in the West, and has numerous recordings to his credit. Amadu Bansang Jobarteh embodied the wisdom and maturity of a grand master. He performed around the world and taught in Europe and the United States.
Amadu Jobarteh passed away in April of 2001.
Discography:
Master of the Kora (Eavadisc, 1978)
Tabara (Music of the World, 1994)
Gambia for the People (The Orchard, 2001)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
