JALLY KEBBA SUSSO IS A MUSICAL AND CULTURAL AMBASSADOR FOR GAMBIA IN UK. HE IS A KORA PLAYER AND COMPOSER AND HE’S COME TO SHAKE THINGS UP.

In West African culture, the kora is the traditional harp of the griot. The griot plays a key part by bringing together the skills of a historian, musician, storyteller and diplomat to steer the community and its leadership to a better future. You can only be born a griot, inheritance being the only path. And Jally Kebba plays from a background of 74 generations of musical heritage. In November 2022 he was awarded the title of Musical and Cultural Ambassador for Gambia in UK & Europe from the High Commissioner of the Gambia in UK.

EARLY GRIOT INFLUENCES

Raised in a household of musicians, Jally Kebba was exposed to incredible musicianship from a very early age. He learnt to play under the guidance of his father the late Bully Suso, a very well-respected kora player and his elder brothers. By 13 he was touring internationally across West Africa, Belgium, Holland and UK. This early exposure and inherent ambition led Jally to his mission:

to expand the boundaries of the griot tradition whilst keeping its heart and soul intact

LONDON CALLING

After settling to London in 2002,  Jally’s musical horizons widened. He started arranging music combining jazz, rock, blues and Afro-funk. He formed his band Manding Sabu – the essence of Manding – in 2007.

RELEASES

He honed his own sound over years of experimentation on the London underground and has released the following original compositions:

Zara EP (Mawimbi, 2021)
Freedom EP (Mawimbi, 2022)
Global Griot (2021)
Banjul-London (2017)
Malaye Warr (2012)

AFRICAN FUNK JAZZ FUSION

This is a new sound for the West African harp.  Jally Kebba skillfully blends the traditional repertoire into his own heady jazz concoction that is immediately accessible and uplifting and yet filled with nuances and intoxicating rhythmical layers that give the music depth and intrigue. His songs, sung in Mandinka, call for unity and togetherness. They are songs of praise and love and are a timely call for togetherness and solidarity, palpable to all language speakers.

WHAT TO EXPECT LIVE

Expect an electric stage show. With ease and confidence, this band connects. Precision, speed and a merciless energy characterise their performance style making them solid crowd-pullers.

PAST SHOWS

The band have gigged extensively venues and festivals across the UK including:

Royal Albert Hall, Elgar Rooms  ·  Jazz Cafe · Cheltenham Jazz Festival · Shambala Festival  ·  Wilderness Festival  · Symphony Hall, Birmingham · Hackney Proms  ·  Union Chapel – London African Music Festival  · Wychwood Festival · OIOW Festival ·  Rich Mix  ·  All Points East Festival  ·  Diaraby Jamm Festival, Denmark · Secret Garden Party Festival  ·  Passing Clouds – Strings on Fire (residency)  ·  The Stables, Milton Keynes  ·  Chapter Arts Centre, Bath  ·  School of Oriental & African Studies University ·  Elderflower Fields Festival  ·  Green Note, London  ·  The Canteen, Bristol  · The Troubadour, London · Globe, Hay  · London Culture Mile  ·  Elefest  ·  Canada Water Cultural Space  ·  Pop Brixton  ·  Cock & Bull Festival, Bath  ·  Camberwell Fair, London  ·  Albert Schloss, Manchester  ·  Sotheby’s  ·  African Drum Village, Angus  ·  Kings Place  ·  National Portrait Gallery

Jally plays solo kora; with his band Manding Sabu; and as a member of live African dance music group, Afriquoi.