Sona Jobarteh

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All the makings of an international star

—Guardian

Beautiful voice

—The Independent

A griot for a new generation of west Africans

—BBC Radio

Sona Jobarteh is the first female kora virtuoso to come from a prestigious West African griot family. Breaking away from tradition, she is a modern-day pioneer in an ancient, male-dominated hereditary tradition that has been exclusively handed down from father to son for the past seven centuries.

Also a lecturer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Jobarteh is one of the most exciting new talents from the West African griot tradition to hit the stage in recent years.

Jobarteh has an effortless ability to blend musical styles and uses her innovative stance to talk about issues related to cultural identity, gender, love, and respect while still adhering to and rooting herself firmly in her traditional cultural heritage. Jobarteh represents her tradition in a way that is easily accessible to her audiences from around the world, who are drawn in by her captivating voice, strong rhythms, and catchy melodies.