Performer Name: Suntou Susso

Show Name: Father & Son Tour: Mamudou and Suntou Susso

Show Description

This Spring, father and son duo will tour the UK together, bringing the legendary Mandinka Griot songbook to audiences across the country. Prepare to be transported to The Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa,on a journey you will never forget. Legendary Griot and kora master, Mamudou Susso, and his son, the UK-based rising star Suntou Susso will showcase centuries of a musical culture known for its affirming and positive lyrics, not to mention incredible technical skill and other-worldly musicianship. The kora is a harp lute with 22 strings from The Gambia, and is a rare and enchanting instrument. Griots play an important inherited role as cultural ambassadors, historians and entertainers, builders of peaceful, accepting communities. They carry the identity of their people through song. Mamudou Susso has toured the world for five decades, including as part of Gambia’s biggest musical export, Ifang Bondi. Suntou is proudly following in his father’s footsteps, representing the most exciting and innovative of the current generation of Griots. Together, father and son will channel the traditions that have been passed down for generations, and present a never-before-seen look at the future of the Mandinka Griot culture.

Simple spotlights would be sufficient
Size of performance area - minimum 3m wide, 2m deep Load in 30 minutes, sound check 1 hour
EPK: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14pcGesn6brMmM8R93a2m-NO__I-UHGPN More content to follow We will provide tour-wide promotional materials and editable templates for promoters to make show-specific promotional materials
Suntou Susso is a multi-instrumentalist - kora player, percussionist, singer and composer - from The Gambia who was born a Griot. His primary instrument, the kora is a harp-lute with 22 strings and is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people. Coming from a 700-year-old tradition, Griots play an important cultural role as peacekeepers and oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people's culture through the generations using song, music and poetry. Since the release of his self-written debut album, Kanéfonyo (Never Give Up) in 2022, Suntou's career has gained serious momentum and he is an in-demand and charismatic performer. He performs frequently as a solo artist playing traditional kora; or leading his six-piece band whose music is rooted in Mandinka musical traditions whilst strongly infused with jazz, funk and soul; or as part of a folk duo that blends British and Gambian musical traditions, among other impressive collaborations and projects. Suntou’s musical abilities are considered unique for his generation. Suntou's family includes some of the world’s most highly respected West African musicians including Seckou Keita, Solo Cissokho and Mamudou Susso.