Ballaké Sissoko is the greatest kora virtuoso in the world. Derek Gripper is changing the face of classical guitar and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire. When they play together, you won't believe your ears.
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Ballaké Sissoko is a seminal improviser with an ability to unlock every possible nuance on the kora with subtleties rarely heard on any instrument - let alone the kora which is over 700 years old.
Derek Gripper is a classical guitarist from South Africa whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of the greatest works of the instrument, changing the face of classical guitar and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire.
Derek and Ballake first met in 2022 in Paris, to perform a unique show together of completely improvised music. They returned to the stage in London a month later, and then to the recording studio for a full-length album.
Their performances and recordings are all achieved without any verbal communication, just a mutual love of their shared repertoire and the possibilities of the plucked string.