Music of the West African Kora - St. Helena Public Library

About the musician: Sean Gaskell features songs on the kora- a 21 stringed West African harp. As a student of the instrument, he studied under the instruction of two musicians at their home in Brikama, Gambia, over multiple extensive visits. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800 year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. Gaskell has presented adult, youth and family programs at over 350 libraries and a multitude of k-12 schools, colleges, universities and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada.