Ballaké Sissoko - Live at Afrika Festival Hertme - 2024

Welcome to the Afrika Festival Hertme archive! Special thanks to Camera: Aldine Reinink & Sjors Swierstra Recording: Evert Aalten & Binnert Blom Mix: Evert Aalten Ballaké Sissoko is one of the leading musicians from Mali and a world-renowned master on the 21-string kora, which has become the musical emblem of West Africa. After over 40 years of faithful service to the 21 strings of the kora, Ballaké Sissoko has achieved elder status. It has always been a story of love for him, a love that was evident from the very beginning, when he first started playing his father's instrument, spurred on by his own heart and nothing else. His father, Djeli Mady Sissoko, the kora giant and co-director of the famous National Instrumental Ensemble of Mali, never exerted any pressure on his firstborn son, although his strong attraction to the instrument must have felt. Early on, Ballaké Sissoko embarked on a solo career. He discovered playing together with musicians with eastern stringed instruments but also with Western ones such as the cello. Many years later, this led to a collaboration with cellist Vincent Segal with whom he formed an intimate musical relationship. Not unimportant to mention is the trio 3MA, in which he plays with Moroccan oud player Driss el Maloumi and valiha virtuoso Rajery from Madagascar. This year he released an album with South African guitarist Derek Gripper, who performed at the Spookhoes last year. Ballaké Sissoko - Live at Afrika Festival Hertme 2024 mainstage    • Ballaké Sissoko - 01 - Live at Afrika Fest...      • Ballaké Sissoko - 02 - Live at Afrika Fest...