The keepers of West Africa’s oral history, griots like Ablaye Cissoko, are fighting the forces of globalization to preserve the songs of West Africa’s medieval past.

Randy Weston, ASCAP’s 2009 Living Jazz Legend winner, says “these beautiful songs are as crucial for West Africa today as negro spirituals, the blues and jazz were to African Americans once the bonds of slavery were broken.”

ABLAYE CISSOKO

Coming from Senegal, Ablaye is one of the best Kora players in the world.  He is also a Griot.  On his album “Le Griot Rouge” he sings about the legend of the man who created the Kora.  During his performances, Ablaye transmits with smoothness, grace and intelligence the values of a generous tradition and sings with sincerity about peace and the need to respect each other.  His album “Sira” is named after his daughter and celebrates the ties of family and the fire he sees in her.  It is a Duo Project with Composer Volker Goetze, whom he has played with at the St. Louis Jazz Festival. It’s a combination of trumpet and Kora.  To witness Ablaye in concert is to witness an extraordinary demonstration of musical quality and generosity.  He performs all over the world, with his 2006 tour passing through Portugal, France, Belgium, Senegal, Mali and more.