Fifteen musicians from Norbury High recently participated in an exciting new project with renowned griot master, Jally Kebba Susso. 

With an emphasis on aural learning, the course taught students about the foundation and legacy of griot music and culture (as well as being musicians, griots are west African storytellers, messengers, singers, historians and custodians of oral traditions).

Griots, whose talents are highly respected, are believed to have originated in the 13th century in the Malian Empire. They tell their stories to music using instruments such as the 21-stringed kora played by Jally Kebba Susso.

The project, supported by Arts Council England and Global Music Academy, focused on traditional Senegambian music and culture. Songs were taught in Mandinka using a variety of percussion with singing and instruments suited to each participant's interest; students were encouraged to contribute ideas, improvise and experiment in each workshop.

The project at Norbury High consisted of four workshops with Jally as well as a collaboration with St Joseph’s College at Fairfield Halls on Tuesday 17th March and a performance at our school one week later.

Jally Kebba Susso

Raised in The Gambia in a household of griots and musicians, Jally Kebba Susso was exposed to incredible musicianship from an early age and was already touring internationally across west Africa, Belgium, The Netherlands and the UK by the time he was 13. These early experiences led Jally to his mission: to expand the boundaries of the griot tradition while keeping its heart and soul intact.

After settling in London in 2002, Jally began arranging music, combining jazz, rock, blues and Afro-funk. He formed his band, Manding Sabu, in 2007 and has since released two albums of original compositions, Banjul-London (2017) and Malaye Warr (2012) as well as performing extensively.

Forging a new trajectory of sound for the west African harp, Jally Kebba skilfully blends the traditional repertoire into his own heady jazz concoction that is accessible and uplifting while, at the same time, being filled with nuances and intoxicating rhythmical layers that give the music depth and intrigue.

Jally's songs, sung in Mandinka, call for unity and togetherness. They are songs of praise and love and are a timely call for togetherness and solidarity, palpable to speakers of all languages.