A
gig
on Monday 26th May. The event starts at 20:00.
The kora or west African harp-lute is one of the most beautiful-sounding instruments ever created. Toumani Diabate is its leading exponent and presiding genius, whose solo recordings such as the divine'Mande Variations' (which he performed here several years ago, in a thrilling sold-out show that people still talk about in wonder) have made him an international virtuoso comparable to the biggest names in western-classical music. But if anything is better than one kora, it has to be two: tonight Toumani plays both solo and in duo with his son Sidiki, in a live-and-direct embodiment of Mali's ancient griot tradition, the master-and-apprentice family bond which Toumani can trace back through 71 generations. This very rare tour-date, which will mark the first time father and son have appeared together before the UK public outside a Royal Festival Hall concert last year, supports a brand new duo album on World Circuit.