Seckou Keita live in Birmingham

Experience Seckou Keita live on April 25th

Seckou Keita is a Senegalese kora virtuoso, composer, and vocalist whose music blends traditional West African griot traditions with elements of jazz, classical, and contemporary soundscapes. His performances are characterized by intricate kora playing, soulful vocals – often in Mandinka – and a collaborative spirit that frequently incorporates musicians from diverse backgrounds. Keita’s work often explores themes of spirituality, cultural identity, and social commentary. He is considered one of the foremost kora players of his generation, having studied within the Griot tradition from a young age and subsequently collaborated with artists across multiple genres.

The concert is scheduled to take place at the CBSO Centre, located in Birmingham’s Symphony Hall complex. The CBSO Centre functions as a more intimate and flexible performance space than the main Symphony Hall auditorium. Originally opened in 1991 as the Adrian Boult Studio, it was renamed the CBSO Centre following a refurbishment in 2018. It primarily hosts chamber music concerts, recitals, educational workshops and smaller-scale performances by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) itself alongside visiting ensembles and soloists.