Journals

African music conquered the world years ago when it inspired jazz music , and from there on, popular music in general. On the African continent, music is one area that is always vibrant and keeps on evolving, and traditional music forms continue to have their place in society. In West Africa, the most well-known instrument is the kora. In New York City, we have some talented kora  players, and M. Salieu Suso is a master kora player and composer, a native of the West African country of Gambia.   Mr. Suso  is in the Music Under New York (MUNY) program - he plays in various subway stations throughout New York City. He has been in the United States on and off since 1989. His friend, from Spirit Ensemble, Zilaka Ginkin, introduced him to MUNY, and in 2007, he was accepted into the MUNY program after the annual public audition. In his words: "The audition is not easy--within 5 minutes, you have to play, and impress the people; in African music that is just an introduction!"   Mr. Suso was raised in Gambia, a small country geographically situated within the larger country of Senegal ( click here to see the location  on Google Maps)--another bizarre consequence of colonialism. The Gambians' official language is English, whereas the Senegalese speak French. Mr. Suso's native language is Mandingo, and he also speaks Wolof (spoken in Senegal), Fulani, and Sarahulay.  He was raised in a village named Kerewan Dumbono. His parents were farmers, but also descendants of a long line of musicians. His family history extends back over 1,000 years and originated in Ethiopia; his father and his cousin, Banna Jobateh, taught him to play the kora.  In 1989 he came to New York, and decided after a few years to make this city his permanent home. He loves the multicultural side of New York City; he has played with many musicians, on different instruments here; he performed at a great variety of venues (both in New York and elsewhere): The Bronx Zoo, Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Kalamazoo College ( Wisconsin),  Emory University, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln center, City Center... and the list goes on, whether with other musicians or as solo performer.  When he plays in a group, it is as the  leader of the Jaliya Kafo! Extended Family Music Ensemble . He misses Gambia's people and nature, but he loves living in New York for the opportunities this vibrant city has offered him. His dream is to teach children about the kora and griot traditions. As he says: "children are our future parents." Where can you listen to Mr. Suso above-ground? He plays every    Friday night at Joloff Restaurant West African Cuisine , in Brooklyn, NY. In January 2010, he will perform again at Lincoln Center. And... if you want to hear him play immediately, click here for underground and here for above ground * .     *YouTube video p roduced by: Kornhaber Brown   More photos at  www.sosauce.com/album/10083/m-salieu-suso-kora-player-in-nyc