By: Bakary Ceesay
Suro Suso, UK based Gambian virtuoso kora player, percussionist and composer has released a new album called ‘Tili Saba’ available in all digital platforms.
The eight tracks album ‘Tili Saba’ was created with contributions from many amazing musicians in The Gambia and the UK.
He explained that the album draws from many sources of inspiration, but more than anything else, it is inspired by reflections on the simple yet wise saying, “Duniya Mu Tili Saba Leti, Kunung, Bii Ning Saama” The world is made up of three days, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
He pointed out that he album explores the past, draws inspiration from the present and contemplates the future through the Kora and its journey across centuries.
Below the link of the album here:
https://surasusso.bandcamp.com/
About Sura Susso
Sura Susso is a creative, versatile and talented Kora player & Percussionist, who hails from a Traditional Griot family in Gambia West Africa.
He is the son of Mamudou Susso and Fatou Binta Cissokho, well-respected musicians in there own right and the younger brother of Seckou Keita who is also a accomplished and successful Kora player.
Griots are historians, orators who hold family and village records. Praise musicians and singers pass this information down through the generations from father to son. Sura’s first initiation to the Kora was at the age of four.
The Kora is a 21 stringed traditional instrument, which is able to transfer beautiful twined melodic & rhythmic tones.
At the age of seventeen, Seckou Keita invited his younger brother to join him on tour, sharing his talent as a percussionist. Performing in many countries around the world, this gave Sura the opportunity to shape his skills and experience as a performing artist.
Sura’s impressive debut album merges original compositions with various musical influences as well as incorporating rearranged traditional songs.
Exhibiting his talent in an assortment of countries, venues and festivals, Sura was invited to perform at an opening ceremony at Manchester City Hospital playing for her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II in 2012; he has also partaken in a number of joint ventures, collaborating with a variation of skillful musicians.
In 2009 Sura and his Sister Binta Susso, had the privilege of performing at Glastonbury festival with the legendary Baaba Maal.
Sura’s musical gift, once heard, is not easy to forget. His melodic style resonates deep within, transporting you far away to a harmonic place of sheer delight.
In 2011 he released his debut album called ‘Sila Kang’ comprise of eleven tracks a collection of original compositions and re-arranged traditional songs.