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wo master musicians—one from Mali, the other from South Africa—come together in a spellbinding conversation between kora and guitar.
Ballaké Sissoko followed in his father’s footsteps, learning the kora from a young age. When he died, Sissoko, at just 13, took his father’s place in the Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali. In the decades that followed, Sissoko became known for his globally-minded explorations of the kora, working with musicians like Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi, French cellist Vincent Segal, and forming the group 3MA with Moroccan oud player Driss el Maloumi and Madagascan valiha player Rajery. With each note he plays, Sissoko draws on a lifetime of learning, crafting music that feels both ancient and timeless.
Derek Gripper has been praised by Afropop Worldwide for his “impressive and passionate rendering of Malian music on classical guitar.” By incorporating the techniques and traditions of the kora into the guitar, he has taken the it to new creative and virtuosic heights. By partnering with griot legends like Toumani Diabaté and Sissoko, Gripper has been changing the face of the classical guitar, one collaboration at a time.
In 2024, Sissoko and Gripper released a self-titled album that was praised as a “mesmerizing collection of seven instrumental tracks reflecting spontaneity and mastery.” (All About Jazz) By combining their talents, the duo offers a meeting of string and spirit: lyrical, boundless, and utterly transportive.
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July 30th 2025
Fabulous concert. The banter was hilarious and the music was delicious.
Las Vegas, NV@clark county library performing arts main theater
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Derek Gripper Biography
Derek Gripper is a globally renowned South African guitarist who has rewritten the narrative of classical guitar by infusing it with the sounds of the West African kora.
Gripper’s transformative journey began with the release of “One Night on Earth,” his translations of the music of kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté. Celebrated classical guitarist John Williams said it seemed “absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it,” leading to collaborations with this icon of the guitar at London’s Shakespeare’s Globe, as well as a collaboration with Toumani Diabaté at The Festival Acoustik in Bamako, Mali. Even Gripper’s debut at the revered Carnegie Hall saw him performing alongside Mali’s Trio da Kali, an endorsement of his revolutionary approach.
Recent recordings like “A Year of Swimming,” “Billy Goes to Durban,” and his latest album with kora master Ballaké Sissoko, introduce original compositions and improvisations, each a testament to his dedication to evolving and challenging his musical style. Moreover, his recordings of the solo works of J.S. Bach have been a fascinating study in the symbiosis of African music and early European melodies, revealing the freedom and universality of one of Europe’s great improvising musicians.
"A New African String Theory" captures the essence of the human experience in the importance of rediscovering ourselves through dialogue.
The great Malian kora player Toumani passed away unexpectedly in July of 2024. To commemorate the passing of one of Africa’s great virtuosos, Derek will perform the five compositions off Toumani’s debut album “Kaira” in a brand new, never before performed, rendition of these classics of the West African repertoire.
Read MoreGripper’s transformative journey began with the release of “One Night on Earth,” his translations of the music of kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté. Celebrated classical guitarist John Williams said it seemed “absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it,” leading to collaborations with this icon of the guitar at London’s Shakespeare’s Globe, as well as a collaboration with Toumani Diabaté at The Festival Acoustik in Bamako, Mali. Even Gripper’s debut at the revered Carnegie Hall saw him performing alongside Mali’s Trio da Kali, an endorsement of his revolutionary approach.
Recent recordings like “A Year of Swimming,” “Billy Goes to Durban,” and his latest album with kora master Ballaké Sissoko, introduce original compositions and improvisations, each a testament to his dedication to evolving and challenging his musical style. Moreover, his recordings of the solo works of J.S. Bach have been a fascinating study in the symbiosis of African music and early European melodies, revealing the freedom and universality of one of Europe’s great improvising musicians.
"A New African String Theory" captures the essence of the human experience in the importance of rediscovering ourselves through dialogue.
The great Malian kora player Toumani passed away unexpectedly in July of 2024. To commemorate the passing of one of Africa’s great virtuosos, Derek will perform the five compositions off Toumani’s debut album “Kaira” in a brand new, never before performed, rendition of these classics of the West African repertoire.
Classical Crossover
Guitar Virtuoso
Instrumental
African
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