Percussionist

Singer

In African music, she is the face of emancipation par excellence: Sona Jobarteh single-handedly conquered a purely male domain, playing the Kora, for women – and at the same time spiced up a centuries-old music with visions of the future.

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Sona Jobarteh

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female kora player to have conquered a previously male domain. She comes from a family of Gambian musicians with a long tradition of playing the kora, a 21-stringed West African bridge harp. Until now, women were only allowed to sing to the sounds of the kora – Sona Jobarteh combines both in her meditative music-making. Born and raised in London, she studied both classical music and traditional African music. Sona Jobarteh shows us how well tradition and innovation can complement one another.

World Sona Jobarteh – The magic of the African harp

Berliner Philharmonie

Western classical and African musical traditions come together in a programme where music by Bach, Elgar and Vivaldi meets compositions for the kora – a West African stringed instrument.

Roundhouse Three Sixty: Sona Jobarteh & the Philharmonia Orchestra

Roundhouse

Experience an enchanting evening at the Griot Creole Rendezvous, featuring the extraordinary talents of Sona Jobarteh and Cedric Watson. Sona Jobarteh, a celebrated figure in the West African Griot tradition, brings a rich tapestry of Gambian heritage to life through her captivating voice and mastery of the Kora. With over 23 million YouTube views and performances at prestigious venues like the Hollywood Bowl and London's Barbican, Sona's music is a living archive of the Gambian people, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.

Joining her is Cedric Watson, a dynamic force in the realm of Louisiana Creole music. As a fiddler, vocalist, accordionist, and songwriter, Watson leads Bijou Creole in weaving together ancient French and Spanish rhythms with the spiritual beats of the Congo tribes of West Africa. His Grammy-nominated albums and compelling stage presence showcase a diverse musical heritage, channeling soulful vocals and masterful instrumentation that breathe new life into Creole traditions.

This event is part of the University of Chicago's Music Without Borders and BluesLogan series, supported by the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation. It promises a unique fusion of West African and Creole musical traditions, offering a profound and immersive cultural experience.

Griot Creole Rendezvous: An evening with Sona Jobarteh and Cedric Watson

Logan Center

Preserving her musical past, Sona Jobarteh innovates to support a more humanitarian future. The spirit of her musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of the West African griot tradition; she is a living archive of the Gambian people. Her singing and kora playing, while fronting her band, spring directly from this heritage. Sona Jobarteh has performed live to audiences from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Symphony Space in New York to London’s Barbican, Cologne’s Philharmonie, and the Seine Musicale in Paris. Hailed as “mould-breaking” (Songlines Magazine), Sona Jobarteh is “a griot for a new generation” (BBC World Service).

Cornell Concert Series presents: Sona Jobarteh

Cornell University

Enjoy dazzling vocals and intricate rhythms from Sona Jobarteh, who has revolutionized the kora, a traditional Gambian instrument, which—until now—has only been passed down from father to son.

Sunset Concerts: Sona Jobarteh

Skirball Cultural Center

Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to come from West Africa and her lineage carries a formidable reputation for renowned Kora masters, including her grandfather Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and her cousin, the legendary Toumani Diabaté.

Sona Jobarteh / The Nubian Sound Group

Grand Performances

Internationally renowned kora player Sona Jobarteh grew up steeped in West African musical tradition. Born into one of Gambia’s foremost griot families, she broke the mold by becoming the first female kora player ever to perform professionally.  Known for “blending traditional music, blues, and Afropop to impressive effect,” and for her “virtuoso musicianship, charming stories and intriguing ideas” (The Guardian), Sona Jobarteh brings her singular sensibilities to Eastman in what promises to be an enthralling debut.

Percussionist, Singer

Sona Jobarteh

Events

Upcoming events

Mar 21, 2027

Eastman Presents: Sona Jobarteh: Kora Trailblazer · Eastman School of Music

Past events

Apr 12, 2026

Sona Jobarteh · Elbphilharmonie

May 29, 2025

World Sona Jobarteh – The magic of the African harp · Berliner Philharmoniker

About

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