Seckou Keita is a brilliant live performer with stacks of charisma, and one of the
few champions of the less-known and rhythmically rocking kora repertoire from Casamance
in southern Senegal where he is from. - Lucy Duran – Radio BBC3
Seckou keita, an inspired exponent of the Kora that can makes the West African harp-lute
sound like a small band Robin Denselow - Guardian
Seckou Keita was born in Ziguinchor, Senegal on 14 February 1978 in a griot family
(hereditary musicians). It was under the guidance of his uncle Solo Cissokho that Keita launched
his international career in 1996, with appearances at Norway’s Forde Festival in a successful
collaboration with Cuban, Indian and Scandinavian musicians.
In the years that followed, Keita relocated to the UK, while touring regularly in Spain,
France, Portugal, Greece and Czech Republic as well as playing at such prestigious festivals as
Womad and Glastonbury, both as a solo musician, and in collaboration with acclaimed figures like
Indian violinist Dr L Subrimaniam.
He became a member of the popular world music group Baka Beyond in 1998, contributing to their
well-received East To West album, and in 2000 began to record his own solo debut Baiyo (retitled Mali
for a later release through Arc Music), which encompassed his musical journey to that date, from Africa
to Europe, via India.
With support slots to luminaries like Salif Keita and Youssou N’Dour, solo slots at London’s Jazz
Café and at Ireland’s Sacred Music Festival, and a nomination in 2001 for BBC Radio 3’s prestigious
World Music Award, it’s clear that Keita’s many collaborations have fed and extended rather than diluted
the African mainspring of his music.
This is why Keita’s current project, the Seckou Keita SKQ seems so exciting, drawing together a
group of musicians from disparate origins, who nonetheless superbly complement one another. The richly
layered songs on Seckou Keita SKQ’s pasr Tama-Silo album range from the haunting African Soul of
‘Tounga’ to upbeat floor-fillers like ‘Sina Mory’ and ‘N’fa Quartet’. With over 100 live performances,
their sound becomes incredibly tight and original.
“Everything in music has to be honest, and the deeper meanings of the songs and melodies must be
preserved”, he explains. “This is why it’s important that collaborations should be right for
the music”
A brilliant performer, Seckou also likes to share with people. His education work is less known to
the public but is real. He regularly runs drumming and kora workshops in schools, arts centres,
festivals working with organisations such as Music For change, Creative Partnerships and Womad.
Finally, he is also a regular guest leader for Sewabeat Company who offers alternative training
package for Commercial Corporation.
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