Jali Bakary Konteh & Sarah Deere-Jones - Playing Kora & Harp

Jali Bakary Konteh is the grandson of Alhaji Bai Konte and son of Dembo Konte—two towering figures in Gambian kora music who helped bring the instrument to international acclaim. Born into this revered griot lineage, Jali Bakary carries the legacy forward with flair, performing across West and North Africa, the UK, and Europe at festivals like WOMAD and Roskilde. His style honours tradition and blends intricate rhythms and melodies into fresh, personal interpretations of classic songs.

Sarah is a classically trained harpist and vocalist who studied at the Royal Academy of Music, earning top diplomas and the prestigious Julia Leney prize. Her career spans London’s symphony, opera, and ballet orchestras, and she’s now a celebrated solo performer, known for her original compositions and arrangements for harp and voice. Her music has been broadcast across the UK, Europe, and the US, and she’s a regular guest on Classic FM and BBC Radio 4. She’s also lectured and performed at major harp festivals worldwide—from Big Sky and Somerset in the US to Dinan, Lorient, and Edinburgh.

Together, Jali and Sarah create a genre-defying sound that bridges continents and traditions. Their collaboration fuses the shimmering tones of the kora with the ethereal resonance of the harp, blending West African oral heritage with European classical finesse. It’s a dialogue between two cultures, two instruments, and two masterful artists—resulting in music that’s both timeless and boldly original.

www.jalibakarykonteh.co.uk

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