Teacher Biographies
Seckou Keita
SECKOU KEITA was born and grew up in Southern Senegal, learning kora, singing and percussion as a member of the noted Cissokho griot family.
He began his international career in Norway under the guidance of his uncle Solo Cissokho, collaborating with Cuban and Scandinavian musicians, and later worked with Indian violinist Dr L Subrimanium.
He relocated to the UK in 1998 and joined acclaimed world music group Baka Beyond, contributing to their East To West album, and touring extensively. As a solo artist, he released Baiyo (later reissued as Mali) in 2001, and he remains in demand as a performer and teacher at venues throughout Europe, notably supporting Youssou N’Dour and Salif Keita in Bristol, and performing at Womad, Glastonbury, and festivals in Italy, Ireland, Croatia, Scandinavia and London.
He was nominated for BBC Radio 3’s prestigious World Music Awards in 2001, and a 2003 tour with Jalikunda, a group made up of members of the extended Cissokho family, resulted in the album Lindiane, which Keita co-produced.
He is currently focused on The Seckou Keita Quartet, an ensemble blending European and African instruments and influences that debuted in 2004 under the title Acoustic Vibes. They toured the UK in 2005 as part of the Heatwave Showcase, and their debut album, Tama-Silo, due for release in 2006.