Ballaké Sissoko known for his virtuosity on the kora, a traditional west African string instrument along with Derek Gripper who is also known as a classical guitarist from Cape town, South Africa have come together and graced us with their latest duo self-titled album called “Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper”, released on 10 May 2024.
Rather than a mere fusion of traditions, this album represents a summit between two master musicians. Sissoko’s kora tradition and lineage span the once-powerful empire of Kaabu, which encompassed Gambia, southern Senegal, and Guinea Bissau. Gripper, on the other hand, draws from the European classical guitar tradition.
“Our focus is on playing the instrument and just becoming the best instrumentalists as we can and somehow that supports us and keeps us going and keeps us finding new ways to get the music out, getting new people to work with, to create concerts with and record labels. Just keep moving and you never know how its going to move or how its going to work or what kind of strategy is going to work or not but keep focused on playing”,
Despite not sharing a spoken language, Sissoko and Gripper engage in a profound musical dialogue. Their collaboration yields a session that combines deep communion with sparkling improvisation.
Through Sissoko”s 22 strings and Gripper's six, a new African string theory emerges. The album pushes the living tradition into brand-new sonic spaces, revealing a previously unsuspected musical universal.
The album consists of 7 tracks which is a testament to the power of cross-cultural exploration and the magic that happens when instruments converse across boundaries.
Whether you are a fan of kora music, classical guitar, or simply appreciate musical innovation, “Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper” is a must-listen.
Track List
1. Ninkoy
2. Koortjie
3. Koyé Yé Yan
4. Maimouna
5. Mos on the Mountain
6. Daraka
7. Basle
The duo have been touring all over around the world sharing their soulful music with their fans, having that to be said they will tour to South Africa, Durban on the 14th and 16th of June they will also play at the Baxter Theatre Centre on June 17th and 18th at Cape Town, Johannesburg June 20th, 21st and 22nd with the support of the French Institute of South Africa and the Institut Français in Paris.
Derek told the Mondays mag that it would be Ballaké's first time touring to South Africa.
Ballaké's prominence in the music industry in the past years has been a success to him since a team of filmmakers have made a film about him and about the Kora itself called “Kora Tales” which will be showing on the day of the concert in Durban.
On the other hand Gripper has had one of his songs used for filming in a documentary called “Here be the dragons” on the Georg Bizos trials during the 90s.
MONDAY MAGAZINE DIGITAL COVERS
Story From Derek Gripper
Interviewed by Ntombizodwa Dlamini
Designed By The MondaysCo.
South Africa 2024
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