TORONTO, January 23, 2009 -- World music icon Ballaké Sissoko, one of the world’s greatest soloists on the traditional Manding kora, makes a rare North American appearance February 5 with a solo concert at York University’s Tribute Communities Recital Hall.

Co-presented by the Department of Music, Sissoko’s concert launches Performing Diaspora 2009, the flagship program of the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples at York.

The kora master will also give a free, public artist’s talk and Q&A (in French, English translation provided) on February 4 at 1:30pm.

Sissoko first captured international attention through his tours and recordings with bluesman Taj Mahal and kora player Toumani Diabate. A renowned improviser, he helped redefine the modern language and expressive capabilities of the kora, a harp with 21 strings and a crystalline sound. His music is a masterful blend of African rhythms with Western scales and guitar chords that respects the spirit of tradition while forging a new, highly distinctive personal style.

Sissoko was born into the West African jeli or griot tradition (oral historians and musicians) in Mali. His first teacher was his father, Jelimady Sissoko, grand master of the Manding kora. At the age of 14, he replaced his father in the Ensemble Instrumental National. By the 1980s he was also playing in the electric bands of the leading jelimuso, including the legendary Kandia Kouyate, with whom he toured and recorded extensively throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. His solo recordings include Tomora, Kora Music from Mali and Deli.

Now living in Paris, Sissoko has recently engaged in adventurous cross-cultural collaborations with artists such as Italian pianist Luovico Einaudi, Chinese pipa virtuoso Liu Fang, multi-instrumentalist Ross Daley, and his current project '3MA' with Moroccan oud player Driss El Maloumi and Madgascan valiha player Rajery.

Performing Diaspora 2009 is a celebration of Africanist dance and music at York University and the neighbouring community of University Heights (also known as Black Creek) at Jane and Finch. Throughout February, performances, workshops, artist talks, school visits and community events serve as a catalyst to bring university and community together to celebrate and engage with African and African Diasporic arts and culture.

The Performing Diaspora concert series is produced and presented by the Tubman Institute in partnership with the Faculty of Fine Arts, supported by Winters College Student Council, York University, and Music Africa. Upcoming concerts will feature jazz legend Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Solo Piano Concert Feb. 13 and Rights/Rites of Passage, a West African Drum & Dance Showcase with Malinke masters Billy Nankouma Konaté & Sani Abu Feb. 28.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 26 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

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Ballaké Sissoko - Solo Kora Concert

When: Thurs. Feb. 5 at 7:30pm

Where: Tribute Communities Recital Hall, Accolade East Building, York University, 4700 Keele St. [Map]
Admission: $25 | $15 students & seniors
Box Office:  416.736.5888  |  www.yorku.ca/perform/boxoffice

Artist’s Talk and Q&A with Ballaké Sissoko

(in French with English translation)

When: Wed. Feb. 4 at 1:30 pm

Where: McLean Performance Studio, 244 Accolade East Building, York U

Admission: Free

Media contact:
Amy Stewart, Communications, Faculty of Fine Arts, York U
416.650-8469   |   amy.stewart@yorku.ca