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Sona Jobarteh

,Milton Court
a colour photo close up of Sona Jobarteh performing live

Africa’s first female Griot Kora virtuoso and singer, Sona Jobarteh creates a fine blend of traditional music, blues and Afropop.

Coming from a revered dynasty of West African Griots, Sona performs with the Kora, an African harp, played exclusively by a few ancient Manding families of West Africa. Born into the male-dominated Griot tradition, she’s a musical pioneer. As vocalist and Kora expert, she leads a band blending a mix of her ancestral cultural heritage, western classical music and rock, bringing an astonishing energy and vibrancy to her live performances worldwide.

Taught primarily by her father Sanjally Jobarteh since she was four years old, then studying composition at London's Royal College of Music, she brings a uniqueness to the tradition and her popularity has seen her gain nineteen million YouTube views on her song ‘Gambia’.

Tagged with: Contemporary music Young Barbican

Subject to government guidelines

Produced by the Barbican

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£10

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Subject to availability

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Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts. 

 

Booking a wheelchair space: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please click the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

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‘A fine singer and composer, blending traditional music, blues and Afropop to impressive effect‘
The Guardian

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Discover

a colour photo close up of Sona Jobarteh performing live

Watch: Sona Jobarteh - The Gambia

Watch the video for Sona Jobarteh's beautiful track, 'The Gambia'

a huge crowd of young people listening to a dj play music somewhere in east london

Listen: Contemporary Music on Spotify

Follow our regularly updated Contemporary Music playlist for a sample of the music you'll hear across our programme. Shuffle recommended. 

Milton Court