Sona Jobarteh(GM)

Sona Jobarteh, one of Gambia's most celebrated artists and one of the first female griots in history—a singer, storyteller, entertainer, and historian in the West African tradition—mesmerizes with her electrifying stage presence. She blends traditional West African music with elements of Afropop and blues, while playing the iconic West African instrument, the kora, a 21-string harp that holds a central place in the Mandingo culture. Traditionally, the kora was only played by male griots, but Sona broke new ground, becoming one of the first woman to step into this historic role as both musician and storyteller.

Jobarteh comes from one of the five foremost kora-playing families in West Africa, and Sona stands on the powerful shoulders of her musical heritage, seamlessly blending it with Western instrumentation. Through her strong voice, she addresses the fight for women's rights and equality.

With a deep love for her Gambian identity, she now carries her message across the world. In recent years, she has been constantly touring with her band, captivating audiences in country after country with her powerful message of cultural identity, equality, love, and respect.

On stage:
Sona Jobarteh – kora, guitar, and vocals
Eric Appapoulay – guitar
Andrew McLean – bass
Yuval Wetzler/Yomi Sehindemi – drums
Mouhamadou Sarr – percussion
Sidiki Jobarteh – balafon

Please note: This is a standing concert. No food or drink is allowed to be brought in.

This concert is part of the Malmö Folk Festival a folk music festival taking place across various venues in Malmö from October 17th to 20th.