Music of the West African Kora Comes to Northeast Harbor

NORTHEAST HARBOR—On Wednesday, November 5 at 5:30 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host a free performance of West African kora music by Washington-based musician Sean Gaskell.

The kora is a 21-stringed West African harp, traditionally played by oral historians known as Jali or Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800 year history dating back to the founding of the Mande Empire, and the instrument continues to see extensive use in contemporary music.

Gaskell studied under the instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh in Gambia, and both Youssoupha Cissokho and Mamadou Cissokho in Senegal. He now shares those songs and stories with audiences throughout the United States and Canada.

Register at nehlibrary.org/events or by calling 207-276-3333.