Back at Lighthouse by popular demand following the soaring success of his African Rhapsodies performance last year, Senegalese kora maestro Seckou Keita returns to Poole with his Homeland Band on Friday 6 February. This year marks Seckou Keita’s 30th year making music professionally as he goes back to his roots on his latest album, Homeland. In this opus, Seckou explores identity, sense of belonging, and questions the very idea of home, influenced by his own relationship with both his adoptive UK homeland and his native country, Senegal.
Always adventurous and seeking to challenge tradition through his kora-playing, Seckou will surprise his audience by taking them on a journey from past to present. Once again, he bridges musical genres, blending traditional rhythms and modern compositions to create a unique sound embracing Afro-pop, urban, and hip-hop. Transitional musical poetry written and delivered by award-winning poets and rap artists from the UK and Senegal will be sampled and woven into the music, shaping a unique live experience.
For the first time in ten years, Seckou will be playing his kora standing up, a tradition set by his uncle and mentor, the late Solo Cissokho, one of Senegal’s most famous pop stars of the nineties. Backed by an electrifying band of influential musicians, this promises to be a joyous and explosive live show showcasing Seckou’s magical 22-string kora and soulful vocals.
In a blend of acoustic and electronic sounds, Homeland will certainly keep the audience on their toes and bring them to their feet to dance!
What they say…
“Seckou Keita can be classed alongside the great Toumani Diabate as one of the adventurous masters of the kora.” The Guardian
“There is something uplifting and utterly contemplative about this music.” Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3
“By the second number, the audience was on the move, dancing, singing, clapping, whooping, letting the rhythms guide their feet and smiles light their hearts.” Songlines
