In African music, she is quite simply the face of emancipation: single-handedly, Sona Jobarteh has conquered an unadulterated man’s world, playing on the bridge-harp kora, for women – and at the same time spiced up a centuries-old music with visions of the future.
Raised in England, rooted in Gambia: with her dual cultural background, Jobarteh cultivates a fresh perspective on the 800-year-old culture of the Mande realm. Since then, the Jobarteh clan has acted as storytellers and lauded singers, but also as admonishers at the royal court. Only male exponents played the 21-string bridge-harp kora. But then she came: »I wanted to follow my heart, not merely fit into the conventional schemata,« Sona Jobarteh emphasises.
Her programme is a breathtaking showcase of this: impeccable, dense arrangements, soulful solo singing, percussive fretwork as well as solo work on the kora and the balaphon (a kind of xylophone) shape the pieces. Thrilling Afro-pop marries with the sounds of the Savannah and bluesy plug-ins – realised by a band which comprises her son Sidiki as well as guitarist Eric Appapoulay, who has already worked for Neneh Cherry and Yusuf Islam. »Tradition has to evolve, continue growing with humanity,« Jobarteh says. »The fact that I, as a woman, can play the kora today is absolutely vital so that the instrument is still relevant in our modern society.« A musical quantum leap by self-determined African womanhood.
PERFORMERS
Sona Jobarteh kora
Eric Appapoulay vocals, guitar
Andi McLean bass guitar
Sidiki Jobarteh balafon
Anselm Netto percussion
Yuval Wetzler drums
