Biography

Seckou Keita has arguably become the most influential and inspiring Kora player of his generation, an exceptional and charismatic musician and a modern global citizen, with seven centuries of tradition and heritage expressed through his music. Described as a ‘griot (praise singer), composer, djembe master, virtuoso and pioneer’, Seckou Keita is a rare type of musician, seated in tradition whilst constantly pushing the boundaries of his art.

A true master of the kora – a 22 stringed West African harp – Seckou, from the Casamance art of the ancient kingdom of Gabou in Southern Senegal, was a childhood prodigy, born of a line of griots and kings. Cissokho, his mother’s family name, gave life to his talent; Keita, his father’s, gave him royal blood.

Seckou has graced the international stage since 1996, earning worldwide acclaim for his kora playing; appearing with a host of respected artists of artists including Salif Keita, Paul Weller, Bassekou Kouyate, Damon Alban and the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians, Youssou N’Dour, Miriam Makeba and Neil Finn; and recording with artists such as Cuban jazz pianist Omar Sosa. His collaboration with Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, resulted in the award-winning album ‘Clychau Dibon’ (2013); their much anticipated second album SOAR released in April 2018 which won multiple industry awards including the fRoots Critics Poll album of the year 2018 and Songlines Best Fusion album 2019.