Seckou Keita
Seckou Keita has been celebrated as "one of the finest exponents of the kora", also known as the African harp.
Performing all over the globe as a solo artist and with his ground-breaking quintet, he has captivated audiences at WOMAD, Hay, Glastonbury, Tokyo Jazz, Chicago World Music Festival, Sydney International, Montreal Jazz Festivals and many more places.
Acclaimed collaborations with numerous jazz, pop, Latin, folk and classical artists, notably include Damon Albarn & the Africa Express; Welsh harpist Catrin Finch; Cuban pianist Omar Sosa; AKA trio with Italian guitarist Antonio Forcione and Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale; Paul Weller and the Folk Collective.
Overall, Seckou has released 11 albums as a leader and co-leader. Through this work, he has earned numerous accolades including three Songlines Music Awards, and several BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including 2019 Musician of the Year.
"I don't know if I'm a folk musician, a jazz or a world one," he said at the time. "Forget about categories. My music is just music for the soul."
Irish Tour (solo)
Sept 26 - Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare
Sept 27 - Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast
Sept 28 - Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray
Sept 29 - RCC, Letterkenny