Papa Susso is a master kora (African harp/lute) player and jali (oral historian, also known as griot) from The Gambia, West Africa. He hails from a long line of jalis from the Mandinka people.
Taught by his father, he has played kora since the age of five. The kora, a 21 stringed harp-lute, evolved from earlier hunter harps used by the Mandinka people. It is said that the Susso family invented the kora.
Today, Papa Susso, based both in the Bronx (New York City) and Gambia, is considered a goodwill ambassador, traveling throughout the world to share his culture with others.
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.
