African Kora Music

October 9 at 7 p.m. African kora music will be performed by Sean Gaskell, West African kora and Dave Kobrenski, fula flute. Enjoy a rare opportunity to hear this gorgeous music played live!

Sean Gaskell plays the 21 stringed West African kora.  The kora is native to the Mande peoples who live within the countries of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. Kora music is traditionally played by oral and musical historians known as Griots. The kora is a melodic and seemingly peaceful instrument, which is somewhat contrary to its musical repertoire. Many songs tell ancient stories of war and hardship, while others praise people of high political status and those who helped expand the Mande Empire. Gaskell has studied extensively under the instruction of Malamini Jobarteh and Moriba Kuyateh of Brikama, The Gambia, and Kane Mathis of Brooklyn, NY. Joining the Asheville, NC based kora player will be New Hampshire musician and artist Dave Kobrenski.

Dave Kobrenskihas traveled extensively in West Africa to study music with master musicians such as Famoudou Konaté, Nansady Keita, and Sayon Camara. He studied the Fula flute with a master of the Malinké flute tradition, Lanciné Condé. Dave plays the Fulani flute, kamale ngoni (10-string Mande harp), djembe, and guitar. He performs throughout the northeastern U.S. with Donkilo! Afro Funk Orkestra, Sayon Camara and Landaya.