Suntou Susso - The Future Is Ancestral Tour

Suntou Susso is a multi-instrumentalist - kora player, percussionist, singer and composer - from The Gambia who was born a Griot. His primary instrument, the kora is a harp-lute with 22 strings and is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people.

Coming from a 700-year-old tradition, Griots play an important cultural role as peacekeepers and oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people's culture through the generations using song, music and poetry.

Since the release of his self-written debut album, Kanéfonyo (Never Give Up) in 2022, Suntou's career has gained serious momentum and he is an in-demand and charismatic performer.

He performs frequently as a solo artist playing traditional kora; or leading his six-piece band whose music is rooted in Mandinka musical traditions whilst strongly infused with jazz, funk and soul; or as part of a folk duo that blends British and Gambian musical traditions, among other impressive collaborations and projects.

Suntou’s musical abilities are considered unique for his generation.

Suntou's family includes some of the world’s most highly respected West African musicians including Seckou Keita, Solo Cissokho and Mamudou Susso.

Collaborations / career highlights
2024: Solo tour (80% of shows were sold out)
2024: Played on Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Show programme
2024: Toured with half brother, Seckou Keita and his Homelands Band
2024: Performed at 29 music festivals including Glastonbury, WOMAD and Green Man Festival
2024: Recorded for Boris Grebenshchikov with Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey
2024: Featured and performed on BBC Radio Four’s Last Word special about the life of legendary kora player, Toumani Diabaté
2023: Completed a 20-date UK album tour with his six-piece band
2023: Supported Vieux Farka Touré as part of his UK tour
2023: Recorded with This is the Kit on their latest album, produced by Gruff Rhys, and consequently performed with them at Glastonbury 2024 on the Park Stage
2022: Released his debut album, Kanéfonyo (Never Give Up), receiving a 4* review from Songlines Magazine
2018: Performed alongside world famous Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour at the O2
2017: Key member of Norway-based Kristin Asbjornsen Trio, co-composed and recorded a successful album, performing at jazz festivals around Europe
2016: A member of Ghazalaw - an Indian-Welsh fusion project featured on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6
2014: Performed with celebrated jazz singer, Sarah Jane Morris and guitarist, Tony Remy at Ronnie Scott’s
2014: Performed alongside South African opera singer Pumeza Matshikiza and brother, Sura Susso on ITV's This Morning
2012: Performed with Davide Mantovani in a kora and modern jazz fusion
2012: Toured with half-brother, Seckou Keita

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