For those new to the kora, the best known kora players today are Sona Jobarteh, Toumani diabate and his son sidiki, Jaliba kuyateh, seckou keita, suntou Suso, Ballake Cissokho, Foday Musa Suso.
To master the Kora , you have to start playing it at a young age. In the Griot families they teach the boys to play Kora and balafon before they even start going to school
So anyway I was telling someone that the harp is from Africa you know we always get laughed at. Only stage drums is not an African instrument the Moroccos are sometimes called Cha Cha's they're from Africa, the bongos, and the guitar, (not the modern guitar but the kora, liar, sonnet) of course the electric guitar is a remake of the liot but nevertheless this music is often mistaken for Arabic music which is not nothing bad it's just that people never attribute music to Africa unless it's just singing I don't know why I'm I mean the instruments of course and also it's also mistaken for a gypsy music or Latin music when I tell people that those three forms of music essentially are using West African instruments of course I get called Afrocentric it's hilarious because I'm not but it just goes to show I am surprised to see someone acknowledge the griot which is the early form of the heart and best explanation of it is a hybrid the heart and the liot/liar further known as the guitar. This music was popular in Timbuktu, Senegal senegambia Sierra Leone Niger Chad Ghana Nigeria.
I have just literally watched this. I have never heard of this. Being a former percussion drum player and in the marching band when I see instruments in my mature years I gravitate towards them because much to my chagrin I did not heed my mum's wishes and continue on in band in high school as I was one of the top percussion players in my youth but did not realize it. Now after losing so many immediate family members in the last 10 years, 8 to be exact I am trying to find a reason to live and want to start gravitating towards unique experiences to keep me going. People always accused me of being intelligent. Though I have several advanced degrees I am older and I still need to work to sustain and I am always fearful of no longer being gainfully employed and become homeless. I want to learn conversational French by next year because I want to go and be a spectator at the Olympics in Paris France. I really do not not enjoy holidays much these days with losing loved ones, the recent being a few weeks ago and sometimes I envision taking my own life but try to find something to live to for. I will use tontie's showing of 60 minutes to learn more about the kora with no intentions of playing it but learning more but I always dreading the next holiday as my depressions creeps in and I miss my mum/dad/brothers/sisters that I have lost. I just hope God gives me the strength not to end it all one day because I know my mum would be very upset with me if I did.
I've loved West African music for a long time. Some of my favorites are Youssou N'dour, Baaba Maal, Orchestra Baobab, Thione Seck (R.I.P.), Ali Farka Toure, Tinariwen, Bombino, and Mdou Moctar.
In my village, the Luo of Kenya" we call it "Nyatiti." It's also in other countries in Africa. Ours used to have many strings but I think they reduced it to 10 strings because those who professionally did it died and didn't pass down the skills. It's amazing as a woman they allowed her to play it, ours the elders were oppressive and didn't allow women to play it. The first woman to play it that I can remember is a Chinese woman that was nicknamed "Anyango" you can Google her, you will enjoy it. CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS LADY. That instrument is not easy to play
This woman is INCREDIBLY talented. I have one of her live performances saved & it gives me so much peace & joy. The fact that she can sing AND play this complex instrument beautifully….wow. Give her her flowers!! I love it ❤
I discovered and became a fan of the kora in 1989 through Toumani Diabate's first album. This instrument is at once etherial and of the earth; bold and sublime; powerful and delicate. No one should be immune to its appeal.
I'm an instant fan. She is heart stopping and amazing and I was shocked when she played and even more when she began to sing. About to buy all her music
Sona is a bloody genius on the kora. I've seen her play live twice in NYC and those performances were the best I've ever seen. And,, this praise is coming from a massive fan of the instrument who has also seen Sona's cousin the great Toumani Diabaté play live. And I never thought Toumani could ever be matched. Glad to see Sona and the kora getting the long overdue recognition.
01:42 _"Music about communication._ _I need to know my music can communicate to YOU._ _I don't know you._ _But I need to know I can TOUCH you somehow."_ A great take on why music transcends language barriers! Love her good vibes and humble mentality ❤️
Its nice to finally learn about stuff like this having it more out in the open in the past growing up in the US before the era of social media they only showed Africa in a negative light and talked about it like it was one country instead of a giant diverse the most diverse in the world continent.
Watching this, I cried tears of joy. I have never heard of this instrument nor of Sona; however, I innately felt every note from the kora and Ms. Jobarteh! Thank you 60 minutes for this piece!
As a person who admires expressions of the human behavior on film, the interviewer is poised with grace and the knowledge of the camera -as in when the camera cuts to her she smiles and nods in a slight yet equally powerful politeness. that is a beautiful expression of manners when one is in the presence of unknown company. Blessings to both of those ladies.
I recently met a percussionist at a wedding who talked with great fondness of the Kora and Sona. I had no idea this instrument existed until this meeting. Very complex and beautiful.
Never heard of the Kora or this artist. But she's so good that you don't have to know her language to feel the beauty of her music and be touched by it. That's how u can tell when it's great music, because it transcends all cultures.
I pulled a group of 32 people together to witness Ms. Jobarthe's magic when she performed at Seattle's Jazz Alley last month! We are still raving. So rich and deep is right! ❤❤❤
I am amazed that i have never heard about this instrument before. The sound it's strings produce are wonderful. If i were not looking at it i would swear i was listening to a guitar. I am glad their are dedicated communities keeping this tradition alive and i hope it is kept going by future generations to come.
Flamenco is quite modern, 18th-20th century, although rooted in older traditions. 'Classical' Spanish guitar that we all play today didn't exist yet during the time of the Mali empire (13th-17th century), as it evolved from instruments like the Arabian Oud and Moorish guitar, introduced to Spain during the Muslim colonisation.
Takes me back to the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 1972 or 72 where the famous Kora player Alijah Bai Konte appeared. Loved the music, still have the album.
i saw Toumani djabete years ago , it was one of the best shows i have eve seen. By the way according to real Mandinka griot the Kora is over 5000 years old possibly older.
I'm in awe.... of the instrument, the artist, the music. Listening to the sounds of the kora is just pure joy. I am grateful... thank you for sharing!!! 😊💖
I had never heard about Kora and/or Sona Jobarteh. Saw one of her stage performances on TH-cam, its just so beautiful; I love it. I am from India and we have some of highly complex musical instruments; in my heart Kora and Sona are lovely additions ❤️👌✅
This instrument seems to be producing the most beautiful melodies I ever desire hearing. If we have such instruments on earth, then Heaven is indeed a place not to miss. God bless you Lady Sona and the Kora
In the US we are great at many things but we have issues walking and chewing gum this beautiful young lady can play a complex instrument while having an interview completely blows my mind.
Yes! 🎼🎶🎥💚👑👆🏾🏆🏆🥇🥇. Music is vibration... No one can take it away from us...👌🏾Thanks For sharing with us all... Keep touching our mind, body and spirit Queen! 💚👆🏾👑👌🏾
Nice piece, would have loved to see some back story pictures or etchings of the 1200s kingdoms that these instruments came from. Also heard that the kora was the basis for the American banjo. Thanks for this!
Oh wow. I've seen the kora played before but never by a woman, and to sing so beautifully while playing such a demanding instrument. She is a very talented lady.
How many instruments and traditions like this one have been purged throughout the years. It's beautiful, and makes my heart soar, but also highlights the beauty of African culture that has been stolen ❤️❤️❤️
"I wish you will die a learner." Years ago I heard the same sentiment expressed by an Indian classical musician - a sitarist, I think - who put it this way, "Never a master, always learning." That so resonated with me, and it's something I've always kept in mind with whatever art I choose to express myself with. I'm learning every day.
For those new to the kora, the best known kora players today are Sona Jobarteh, Toumani diabate and his son sidiki, Jaliba kuyateh, seckou keita, suntou Suso, Ballake Cissokho, Foday Musa Suso.
Yes.. and don't forget Sona's father, Sanjally Jobarteh. He is an incredible kora player.
Do you know the song she’s playing at the end of of interview?
Thank you for this list. I'm going to check them out.
Isn't that the instrument that David played when Samuel had those evil spirits on him
To master the Kora , you have to start playing it at a young age. In the Griot families they teach the boys to play Kora and balafon before they even start going to school
I met her in a restaurant in the Gambia a few years ago. It was really encouraging speaking with her. I love the Kora music and she is an inspiration.
Wow. The world really can be small sometimes!
So anyway I was telling someone that the harp is from Africa you know we always get laughed at. Only stage drums is not an African instrument the Moroccos are sometimes called Cha Cha's they're from Africa, the bongos, and the guitar, (not the modern guitar but the kora, liar, sonnet) of course the electric guitar is a remake of the liot but nevertheless this music is often mistaken for Arabic music which is not nothing bad it's just that people never attribute music to Africa unless it's just singing I don't know why I'm I mean the instruments of course and also it's also mistaken for a gypsy music or Latin music when I tell people that those three forms of music essentially are using West African instruments of course I get called Afrocentric it's hilarious because I'm not but it just goes to show I am surprised to see someone acknowledge the griot which is the early form of the heart and best explanation of it is a hybrid the heart and the liot/liar further known as the guitar. This music was popular in Timbuktu, Senegal senegambia Sierra Leone Niger Chad Ghana Nigeria.
please post t of your favorites i want to feel the energy
Jealous! :)
thank you.... You are an amazing musician and so humble too.
Please come to play in Australia..... that would be Awesome !!!
I'm blown away, singing while playing is so hard in of itself, but the complexity of the instrument, she is a genius indeed
I have just literally watched this. I have never heard of this. Being a former percussion drum player and in the marching band when I see instruments in my mature years I gravitate towards them because much to my chagrin I did not heed my mum's wishes and continue on in band in high school as I was one of the top percussion players in my youth but did not realize it. Now after losing so many immediate family members in the last 10 years, 8 to be exact I am trying to find a reason to live and want to start gravitating towards unique experiences to keep me going. People always accused me of being intelligent. Though I have several advanced degrees I am older and I still need to work to sustain and I am always fearful of no longer being gainfully employed and become homeless. I want to learn conversational French by next year because I want to go and be a spectator at the Olympics in Paris France. I really do not not enjoy holidays much these days with losing loved ones, the recent being a few weeks ago and sometimes I envision taking my own life but try to find something to live to for. I will use tontie's showing of 60 minutes to learn more about the kora with no intentions of playing it but learning more but I always dreading the next holiday as my depressions creeps in and I miss my mum/dad/brothers/sisters that I have lost. I just hope God gives me the strength not to end it all one day because I know my mum would be very upset with me if I did.
@@imhereforitall9218 Don't give up, my unknown friend.
Just keep on keeping on!
And now I’m addicted to West African music! Sona, never stop making magically beautiful music ❤️
I've loved West African music for a long time. Some of my favorites are Youssou N'dour, Baaba Maal, Orchestra Baobab, Thione Seck (R.I.P.), Ali Farka Toure, Tinariwen, Bombino, and Mdou Moctar.
In my village, the Luo of Kenya" we call it "Nyatiti." It's also in other countries in Africa. Ours used to have many strings but I think they reduced it to 10 strings because those who professionally did it died and didn't pass down the skills. It's amazing as a woman they allowed her to play it, ours the elders were oppressive and didn't allow women to play it. The first woman to play it that I can remember is a Chinese woman that was nicknamed "Anyango" you can Google her, you will enjoy it. CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS LADY. That instrument is not easy to play
It’s sad when things get lost over time 😞
Wasn't it documented in books at least? On how to construct it?
It's somehow similar.,..but does the Nyatiti have a center console?.
What? How did it went from africa to some Chinese woman playing a west African instrument
@@dddd5989 bm are terrible leaders, that's how...
Africa is the mother of civilization. Blessings my sister. 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Absolutely phenomenal… her mastery is second to none!! Gosh why couldn’t this be longer?🔥🔥🔥
There is a longer segment. This is the overtime made for TH-cam.
She's on TH-cam, if you're interested: th-cam.com/channels/w5-fnR7c0sKwY7-qPyChQA.html
There you are: th-cam.com/video/msRZsecUp-I/w-d-xo.html
This woman is INCREDIBLY talented. I have one of her live performances saved & it gives me so much peace & joy. The fact that she can sing AND play this complex instrument beautifully….wow. Give her her flowers!! I love it ❤
Sona is absolutely an exceptional gifted artist world wide, she brings a universal language with her music globally.
Her audience dancing in their seats is evident she’s reaching most people. And what a gift this woman is, and has. 💃🏾💃🏾🔥❤️✌🏾
I'd be dancing in the aisle if I saw her live. My goodness that's beautiful
I discovered and became a fan of the kora in 1989 through Toumani Diabate's first album.
This instrument is at once etherial and of the earth; bold and sublime; powerful and delicate.
No one should be immune to its appeal.
You said everything I wanted to type
Felt chills run from my face to my stomach when she sang in the interview.
She is fabulous and plays like an absolute angel 💖
wow..... the KORA is more complicated than it looks. glad Leslie got her to demonstrate how she plays it. AMAZING. 🎶♩🎵🎼
I'm an instant fan. She is heart stopping and amazing and I was shocked when she played and even more when she began to sing. About to buy all her music
Sona is a bloody genius on the kora. I've seen her play live twice in NYC and those performances were the best I've ever seen.
And,, this praise is coming from a massive fan of the instrument who has also seen Sona's cousin the great Toumani Diabaté play live. And I never thought Toumani could ever be matched.
Glad to see Sona and the kora getting the long overdue recognition.
I thought this too, I am so pleased she proved me wrong
I have just discovered an artist I have never heard of before. This is why I love music! 💓
Everything about her is beautiful, the sound, her voice, her skin, her smile, her intelligence! What a lovely gift she is!
That instrument is amazing. It make you want to cry it's so beautiful. I would love to hear Sona in concert.
01:42
_"Music about communication._
_I need to know my music can communicate to YOU._
_I don't know you._
_But I need to know I can TOUCH you somehow."_
A great take on why music transcends language barriers!
Love her good vibes and humble mentality ❤️
This is the most beautiful instrument, music, and culture in the world! I love it, thank God for Africa!
Breathtaking talent, beauty and gift to society!!! Thank you, Sona!
Its nice to finally learn about stuff like this having it more out in the open in the past growing up in the US before the era of social media they only showed Africa in a negative light and talked about it like it was one country instead of a giant diverse the most diverse in the world continent.
Watching this, I cried tears of joy. I have never heard of this instrument nor of Sona; however, I innately felt every note from the kora and Ms. Jobarteh! Thank you 60 minutes for this piece!
🥰🥰🥰
Never heard of this instrument or the player. Sounds like 2 instruments being played at the same time. Amazing.
As a person who admires expressions of the human behavior on film, the interviewer is poised with grace and the knowledge of the camera -as in when the camera cuts to her she smiles and nods in a slight yet equally powerful politeness. that is a beautiful expression of manners when one is in the presence of unknown company. Blessings to both of those ladies.
Been listening to Sona in amazement for a couple of years. Happy to see her get more recognition.
This lady is so talented.
Her musician skills are amazing and her voice 🔥
WOW! Thank you for teaching us about this instrument and this very talented lady.
Sona is an awesome person as well as an amazing musician. It was such a pleasure to see her play.
I recently met a percussionist at a wedding who talked with great fondness of the Kora and Sona. I had no idea this instrument existed until this meeting. Very complex and beautiful.
I love Sona Jobarteh so much. What a talent!
wow -- I am so impressed. Such a beautiful instrument and her singing is so soothing too
Never heard of this instrument or the artist but they sound beautiful!!!
Never heard of the Kora or this artist. But she's so good that you don't have to know her language to feel the beauty of her music and be touched by it. That's how u can tell when it's great music, because it transcends all cultures.
This is a GORGEOUS instrument and beautiful music.
I pulled a group of 32 people together to witness Ms. Jobarthe's magic when she performed at Seattle's Jazz Alley last month! We are still raving. So rich and deep is right! ❤❤❤
What a remarkable woman and musician. Thank you for highlighting her work. 🙏💜🇺🇸
Yes Remarkable👍
And for someone who didn't like to sing at one time, what a beautiful change of heart💞
@@hopefuls3976 what a gift she is!
This music is so heartfelt and vibrant!! 🥰🥰🥰
Soothing sounds from that Kora instrument..
WOW !!!! 😲 The Kora has such an angelic sound. It made me stop everything I was doing, just to liston to the wonderful music that was being played. 😇😍
"majestic" was what I thought the first time I heard it
I am amazed that i have never heard about this instrument before. The sound it's strings produce are wonderful. If i were not looking at it i would swear i was listening to a guitar. I am glad their are dedicated communities keeping this tradition alive and i hope it is kept going by future generations to come.
That is a beautiful sounding instrument. And she is incredibly talented. Such beautiful music. 😩❤️
This is SO BEAUTIFUL!! Reminds me of Flamenco and Bulerias. I don't what came first but this music is so emotionally powerful!!!
Definitely this
Flamenco is quite modern, 18th-20th century, although rooted in older traditions. 'Classical' Spanish guitar that we all play today didn't exist yet during the time of the Mali empire (13th-17th century), as it evolved from instruments like the Arabian Oud and Moorish guitar, introduced to Spain during the Muslim colonisation.
@@user-vw6bk4pb4l Cool! Thanks. KNOWLEDGE ✊🏿
She is absolutely phenomenal 😊
Mind blown, she plays it flawlessly, amazing. 🙌🏽🙏🏽
I haven't even graduated the basic guitar notes.
I have always connected to music from this instrument the Kora. It just speaks to the soul.
It's God like.
Amazing stuff.
The Kora has such a beautiful full sound, that it can be easily played unaccompanied! Such a beautiful instrument!
Takes me back to the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 1972 or 72 where the famous Kora player Alijah Bai Konte appeared. Loved the music, still have the album.
i saw Toumani djabete years ago , it was one of the best shows i have eve seen. By the way according to real Mandinka griot the Kora is over 5000 years old possibly older.
I'm in awe.... of the instrument, the artist, the music. Listening to the sounds of the kora is just pure joy. I am grateful... thank you for sharing!!! 😊💖
I love and have listened to Afro Pop Worldwide for years. That show has introduced me to so many African artists. Sona is amazing. ♥️♥️
Wonderful & fantastic! Love Sona’s music & SO proud of her history & all she gives to elevate the culture & the progressing of tradition! 🥰
I had never heard about Kora and/or Sona Jobarteh. Saw one of her stage performances on TH-cam, its just so beautiful; I love it. I am from India and we have some of highly complex musical instruments; in my heart Kora and Sona are lovely additions ❤️👌✅
Sona is amazing ❤❤😍😍😍😍😍😍 I really feel her song with the nature
Glad I clicked on this. Beautiful and inspiring. She gained a new fan today
Not only can she sing beautiful, she has an inner light that shines so brightly, the passion in her face gives me chills. Brava!
Wow so beautiful. The Hausas and Fulani people in Nigeria also play something similar. This requires mastery to play.
Nigeria is in West Africa. So not surprising.
It’s in Ghana as well but not very common
I love kora music. Makes my heart soar.
This instrument seems to be producing the most beautiful melodies I ever desire hearing. If we have such instruments on earth, then Heaven is indeed a place not to miss.
God bless you Lady Sona and the Kora
I love her soooo much and am absolutely shocked to see her on 60 Minutes. Glad she's getting recognized
WOW! I would love to see her perform live. She is incredible.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL 💓💓💓
Wow...i'm now learning of this for the first time...beautiful music...very interesting
In the US we are great at many things but we have issues walking and chewing gum this beautiful young lady can play a complex instrument while having an interview completely blows my mind.
She makes it look so easy!!!
Absolute mastery of the Kora instrument, she is so talented.
I love her so much, she is an inspiration. God bless her and the band 🙏🙏🙏
Aziz Kuyateh is one of my best friends and former bandmates... One of the greatest kora players in the world! She is beautiful and SKILLED!
Peter Gabriel would love this. Phenomenal artist playing a magical instrument. Awesome.
Incredible interview ❤️🎊👑✨️ Thank you Sona Jobarteh and 60 minutes.
Absolutely amazing
So beautiful! She makes one instrument sound like 4 instruments.
Instrument from the gods, I definitely respect those who play it❤
Mad skills
LL Cool J and Q-Tip bought me here ! Stunning performance from Sona on 'Black Code Suite'
She carries herself like a princess. 🖤
A wonderful person, wonderful musician, wonderful ambassador. Thank you Sona.
Simply Extraordinary! I'd like to see her show in the future!
Yes! 🎼🎶🎥💚👑👆🏾🏆🏆🥇🥇. Music is vibration... No one can take it away from us...👌🏾Thanks For sharing with us all... Keep touching our mind, body and spirit Queen! 💚👆🏾👑👌🏾
Sounds absolutely beautiful
What a talented musician!
Surely music can transcend language barriers ….great is great you could never underrate and there is no substitute for quality ❤
This song is so beautiful , it makes me cry every time I hear it. She certainly touches you with her music. ❤️
I love kora music and I adore Sona
A musical prodigy and human angel.
What a beautiful and talented lady . What an instrument, she is a master , I was lost in those beautiful sounds. 😍
She plays beautifully. And I love her voice! Gave me goosebumps!!
Beautiful.
I'm delighted and humbled to have come across this. With much love from Kenya.
Nice piece, would have loved to see some back story pictures or etchings of the 1200s kingdoms that these instruments came from. Also heard that the kora was the basis for the American banjo. Thanks for this!
The akonting instrument for the banjo, but the kora wouldn’t have been unusual either.
Father to son ... Guys have suppressed the best for centuries.
Oh my, the kora sounds beautiful and she's such a good singer. 😯
I found a kora walking home in Harlem and naturally learned how to play this beautiful instrument
Oh wow. I've seen the kora played before but never by a woman, and to sing so beautifully while playing such a demanding instrument. She is a very talented lady.
How many instruments and traditions like this one have been purged throughout the years. It's beautiful, and makes my heart soar, but also highlights the beauty of African culture that has been stolen ❤️❤️❤️
Years ago I had a chance to spend a week in Senegal but it fell through. Would've been cool to see music like this played live there!
You should still go. It's an incredible experience.
Ok, this was phenomenal. Such rich sound and a talented musician
"I wish you will die a learner." Years ago I heard the same sentiment expressed by an Indian classical musician - a sitarist, I think - who put it this way, "Never a master, always learning." That so resonated with me, and it's something I've always kept in mind with whatever art I choose to express myself with. I'm learning every day.
I love you Sona! So proud of you!!!