The electrifying Gambian griot, kora player and multi-instrumentalist Suntou Susso returns to the Dalston Curve Garden.

Suntou Susso

Suntou Susso is a multi-instrumentalist: Kora player, percussionist, singer and composer from The Gambia. Born a Griot in a 700-year old tradition, the Kora - harp-lute with 22 strings - is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people. Griots have a unique societal role as oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people's culture through the generations in song, music and poetry.

Suntou's family includes some of the world's most well-respected West African musicians. His musical abilities are outstanding, perhaps unique for his generation. An in-demand and charismatic performer, he attracted attention as soon as he arrived on the UK music scene.

Collaborations to date include:

Celebrated jazz singer Sarah-Jane Morris, Guitarist Tony Remy - Ronnie Scotts, Ghazalaw -Indian-Welsh fusion project on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6, Davide Mantovani, Kora and Modern Jazz fusion, Opera singer Pumeza Matshikiza - performing on ITV's This Morning.

A key member of Norway-based 'Kristin Asbjornsen Trio', he co-composed and recorded a successful album, performing at Jazz festivals around Europe. As an acknowledged master of the Kora, Suntou was invited to perform alongside world famous Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour at the O2 in 2018. An impressive moment for any young musician and a seal of approval from the legendary artist.

Here in the UK he also performs classical Kora as a solo artist at sizable theatres with orchestral productions and across the festival circuit including WOMAD, Hay Festival, Wilderness, Beyond the Border and more.

In The Gambia, Suntou has a huge fan base and has released successful singles and videos. These continue to receive daily exposure on national TV and radio.

Ellen Beth Abdi

Mancunian music-maker Ellen Beth Abdi uses live loops, pokey drums, undulating synths and quietly subversive lyrics to mold her unique sound. A graduate from Royal Northern College of Music, Ellen has graced many areas of the Manchester scene, providing backing vocals (& keys) for legendary indie/alternative bands in the city - from playing a support slot for The Stone Roses at Wembley Stadium and most recently touring with band A Certain Ratio (all at the age of 25) Ellen now focuses on her solo music, described as ‘Potent and lyrical electronic soul with a social conscience.

For the thinkers and the movers of this dimension and others. - EBA’s enchanting ethereal sound has gained her spots at Manchester International Festival, tours all over Europe with a previous projects Agbeko, and support slots for the likes of Oliva Dean, Oscar Jerome and Allysha Joy - Ellen has worked with WERKHA on number of singles, and now is working on her own project set to release 2023, whilst also DJing at spots like The Warehouse Project with Eves Drop Collective.

TIMINGS

1900 Doors open

1930 Ellen Beth Abdi

2030 Suntou Susso