Ballaké Sissoko (kora) and Derek Gripper (guitar) astounding improvised performance at SOAS 2022

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Ballaké and Derek share no common language, except a knowledge of the repertoire of the kora, the 21-string harp of West Africa, Ballaké from a long and illustrious line of griots, and Derek as a classical guitarist who decided to write down the music of these Great African Composers and play them on guitar. They come together here for their second spontaneous on-stage meeting, presented by The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) to celebrate fifty years of kora study at SOAS, which started with a visit by Ballaké's father, Djelimady Sissoko, in 1952. Presented as part of the SOAS Festival of Ideas on the 30th of November 2022.

In the course of this performance Derek and Ballaké quote an ancient griot piece "Tutu Jaja" as well as a more modern griot piece "Tita" and a composition of Ballaké's called "Maimouna." The rest of the music is improvised.

Presented by Professor Lucy Durán and Georgie Pope.

Filming and recording by Jerry Glasgow.

Ballaké and Derek appear compliments of Mad Minute Music, Platoon and SOAS.