She uses 21 strings and her voice to bring a deep-rooted history forward to the present. Sona Jobarteh is Africa's most important female kora player. The West African harp is usually reserved for men, but it’s best not to get into that discussion with Jobarteh. She comes from a family of griots (storytellers, musicians, and historians) and respects her heritage that goes back at least seven centuries. However, that doesn’t mean everything should always remain the same. The Gambian singer has a super swift and nimble technique on the delicate instrument, which she displays across major venues from America to China, bridging the gap between African and European classical music. In 2022, Jobarteh delivered a long-awaited beautiful album, eleven years after her previous effort. In the meantime however, she wasn't taking a break, but was busy composing film music and passionately speaking out for human rights, something that is also always present within her music.
