Sean Gaskell will present an evening of music and stories on the Kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the Kora's musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions. Sean Gaskell has mesmerized audiences across the US, Gambia, and Senegal with his heart rendering performances that spotlight the West African Kora. The Kora is a 21 string harp whose roots stretch back to the mid-1700’s and feature traditional songs that praise leaders of high political status and those who helped expand the Mande Empire. Gaskell, having studied the Kora over multiple visits to its homeland in Gambia, released his first solo album “Kora Music of West Africa” in 2012. His primary teachers are Moriba Kuyateh and Malamini Jobarteh (passed in July 2013). He has opened for headliner acts such as Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits.
Please join us for an evening of great traditional music at the Marianna Black Library. Other performances scheduled for this summer include Lee Knight, Karen “Sugar” Barnes & Dave Magill, Bean Sidhe and many more. The library is located in Downtown Bryson City at the corner of Academy and Rector. For more information or driving directions call the library at (828) 488-3030.