Magic happens when these brothers, from Senegal and Gambia respectively, take to the stage. Seckou is nicknamed “the Hendrix of the Kora”, and Suntou’s work is described as an “explosion of sound”.

Outstanding kora players, electrifying percussionists, and charismatic performers, they superbly combine their centuries-old griot lineage with contemporary experience of collaborating with jazz, folk, pop, soul and classical musicians from around the world. Seckou’s new album African Rhapsodies is being released in May 2023. His younger brother Suntou released his first sell-out album Kanefonyo in 2022.

My music is just music of the soul

Seckou Keita

We are very excited to announce that the Special Guest for this concert, completing a world-class line-up of artists, is Sidiki Dembele.

Sidiki Dembele, the second son of a Griot family from Cote d'Ivoire, is a renowned and respected master Djembefola and talented performer of the Balafon n'goni and Kamele n'goni. The Griot tradition has spanned centuries of civilisation in West Africa, and has been passed down through the generations, carrying with it an ancient culture of storytelling, communication and celebration.

More about Sidiki Dembele

Sidiki has been playing and learning music since early childhood, is a professional composer, arranger, musical director, teacher, performer, creative director and workshop facilitator. He has worked with celebrated theatre companies including The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Royal Exchange Theatre, and has toured Europe with the acclaimed Circus Company as the lead percussion soloist for "Afrika Afrika". Also working in schools to promote and develop young musicians, he is currently an Associate Lecturer at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.


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