Soulful vocals, shimmering kora melodies and complex rhythmic Malian guitar in this special collaboration.

An innovative and refreshing approach to creativity that will take listeners and audiences on a journey through West Africa, grounded with traditions full of joyful melodic vibes in a setting celebrating friendship and culture. Manding Melody features Mali’s redoubtable troubadour and guitarist Habib Koite and the charismatic Gambian kora maestro and singer Sura Susso, presenting their newly recorded intergenerational, cross-cultural project which celebrates the powerful ‘griot’ narratives of traditional Manding folk tales and stories, told through modern musical styles.

West Africa’s griots (in Mandinka language known as Jeli) are traditional storytellers, poets, historians, musicians, and praise singers. They maintain and share traditions, cultural heritage, values and history. They originated in the 13th century within the Mande Empire of Mali. Since then, the oral tradition has been handed down through specific Manding griot families (in Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea) of which both Sura and Habib were born into. Traditional instruments used by griots include the kora, balafon and ngoni. Manding Melody highlights some of these instruments, intertwined with contemporary musical instruments and styles. The result is a blend that refreshes and revives ancient stories and musical traditions.

Produced by African Night Fever, Manding Melody is on tour throughout England this October.

Presented in partnership with Africa Oyé

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A booking fee of 9% will apply to purchases made by telephone or online.

Access seats are available to visitors with additional access requirements such as wheelchair users. Sign-up to the access scheme to book these seats.

This performance is not likely to be suitable for children under 5 due to the acoustics in the auditorium. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Under-10’s are not permitted to sit on the balconies.

Food and hot drinks are not permitted in The Tung Auditorium.
The Fröhlich Café Bar is open for drinks 90 minutes prior to the start of each performance and during the interval. We recommend pre-ordering your interval drinks before the performance starts.

This event will finish at approximately 9.20pm and include an interval

Read the booking full terms and conditions here.