Join us for a live musical performance, featuring the West African kora, a 21 string harp.
Sean Gaskell is a kora played based in Asheville, South Carolina. The kora is a 21 string harp from West African that is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots, often called Jalis or Jelis. Many songs tell story of war, hardship, love and loss all while presenting the history and fabric of Mande society, of which the instrument originates. Visits to Brikama, Gambia, West Africa provided Gaskell the opportunity to study the kora under the instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and his father, the late Malamini Jobarteh. Gaskell has presented adult, youth and family programs at over 350 libraries and a multitude of k-12 schools, colleges, universities and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada. You can learn about Sean and hear his music here.