SECKOU KEITA: 22 STRINGS 2015
A Theatr Mwldan | Seckou Keita | Sasolo Ltd Co-Production
We are delighted to be presenting Seckou Keita, with support from Gwyneth Glyn, to tour venues across the UK in 2015.
Following the critical acclaim of his award-winning collaborative project with Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, the extraordinary Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita will be striking out in 2015 with a new solo album and UK tour.
Variously described as a 'griot (praise singer), composer, djembe master, virtuoso and pioneer', Seckou is a rare type of musician, seated in tradition whilst constantly pushing the boundaries of his art.
A true master of the kora - a 22 stringed West African harp - Seckou, from the Casamance area of Southern Senegal, was a childhood prodigy, born of a line of griots and kings. Cissokho, his mother’s family name, gave life to his talent; Keita, his father’s, gave him royal blood. Seckou has graced the international stage since 1996, earning worldwide acclaim for his kora playing and appearing with a host of fellow artists including Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour, Miriam Makeba and Neil Finn.
His last two albums Miro and The Silimbo Passage hit No.1 in the European world music charts, and Clychau Dibon, the fruit of his collaboration with Finch, won fRoots Critics Poll Album of The Year 2013, Songlines Magazine Best Cross Cultural Collaboration 2014, and two BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations.
Seckou Keita has arguably become the most influential and inspiring Kora player of his generation, an exceptional and charismatic musician. This, his latest tour, explores what it means to be a modern global citizen, and yet to live with seven centuries of tradition and heritage expressed through music. In his new album 22 Strings, Seckou gives us the kora in its purest guise, a wondrous instrument that can soothe the bloodlust of warriors and take the human spirit to a place of deep meditation, stillness and beauty.
Seckou is joined by Gwyneth Glyn as support artist. Poet, writer and singer of songs, Gwyneth comes from Criccieth in North Wales and explores her own folk heritage in her own mother-tongue.
TOUR DATES:
MAY 2015
12 Theatr Mwldan, CARDIGAN
14 RWCMD, CARDIFF
15 Wyeside Arts Centre, BUILTH WELLS
17 Taliesin Arts Centre, SWANSEA
SEPTEMBER 2015
26 Ropetackle, SHOREHAM
OCTOBER 2015
2 Galeri, CAERNARFON
3 The Met, BURY
4 Derby Folk Festival, DERBY
8 Harp On Wight Festival, Ryde, ISLE OF WIGHT
9 Afrikaba Festival, Hastings Museum & Arts Gallery, HASTINGS
10 Mac, BIRMINGHAM
15 The Lighthouse, DEAL
16 Colchester Arts Centre, COLCHESTER
17 The Flavel, DARTMOUTH
22 The David Hall, SOUTH PETHERTON
24 The Hothouse, More Music MORECAMBE
25 Sage GATESHEAD
30 Tolbooth, STIRLING
31 Mareel, LERWICK, SHETLAND
NOVEMBER 2015
17 Richmix, EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL
18 Gloucester Guildhall, GLOUCESTER
Please contact venues directly for on-sale dates and bookings. Further dates to be added in due course - visit Seckou’s website seckoukeita.com, join his mailing list or follow him on Twitter @Seckoukeita and Facebook for further updates.
Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Government and the National Lottery, and Arts Council England.
Photographers:
Seckou Keita: Andy Morgan
Gwyneth Glyn: Dewi Glyn Jones
