Sean Gaskell Music and History of the West African Kora

Join Sean Gaskell, Performance and educational program of the  West African kora- a 300 year old, 21 string harp. Between songs,  audience members will learn of the history of the kora, how it is  built, who plays it, and the types of events that it is used in.  Gaskell will share of his experiences in Gambia and Senegal,  studying under the instruction of four teachers. Songs range from  50-800 years old and carry forth the history of the Mandinka  empire, dating back to the mid 1200s. 

Sean Gaskell features songs on the kora- a 21 stringed West  African harp. He studied under the extensive instruction of Moriba  Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh in Gambia, and both  Youssoupha Cissokho and Mamadou Cissokho in Senegal. The  kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots.  Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800 year history  dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. Gaskell has  presented adult, youth and family programs at over 400 libraries  and a multitude of k-12 schools, colleges, universities and assisted  living facilities throughout the United States and Canada. 

Program made possible thanks to the generous support of the  Friends of the First Colony Branch Library. Program geared for all ages.