(headline image: Sefo Kanuteh with kora – Photo by Will Sherratt)
Sefo Kanuteh is a skilled kora and bala (balafon) player from The Gambia. He has collaborated on significant projects with artists like Baaba Maal and The BKO Quintet. His efforts to recreate the warmth of his African homeland in the UK are evident through his engaging performances and workshops across Europe, which highlight Gambian culture.
Sefo was raised in Foday Kunda on the banks of the River Gambia in a family of accomplished kora and balafon players. His musical education was integral to his upbringing. Music has been a passion passed down for generations in Sefo’s family, defining his community’s identity. His father, uncle, and grandfather were his primary musical influences. After his father passed away when Sefo was two, his uncle taught him the family instrument, the balafon. Sefo later taught himself to play his father’s instrument, the kora. These skills enabled him to travel and inspire communities through music.
Sefo crafts his instruments and travels globally to share his culture. He emphasizes the importance of community support and slowing down in a fast-paced world, stating, “Our lives are so stressful and fast-paced, and often so isolated that we don’t even know our own neighbors.”
In addition to his musical career, Sefo works as a mental health worker in Norwich, helping people through difficult times. This commitment to support is reflected in the inclusive and peaceful nature of his performances, which he likens to family gatherings. He enjoys sharing his culture and inspiring audiences to embrace a joyful way of life through music.
Sefo’s music, described as mesmerizing and magical, combines traditional pieces with styles from across the globe, positioning him as a contemporary Mande musician. His compositions reflect his life, family, and freedom, seamlessly incorporating elements of Latin music, reggae, jazz, blues, and pop.
Sefo Kanuteh released two new Arts Council England-funded albums in May 2021. His first album, Adouna, recorded in The Gambia, features a full band and celebrates his roots, while the second, Afou, is an acoustic project with UK-based musicians, highlighting his instruments in a stripped-back setting.
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.