Graham Reid | | 2 min read
The extraordinarily gifted kora player Seckou Keita from Senegal has delivered a couple of Elsewhere's favourite albums on that warm instrument, notably 22 Strings of four years ago.
In recent times he has paired with the Welsh harp player Catrin Finch for award-winning music which bridges the geographic divide by finding common space in beautiful melodies.
The duo are scheduled to appear at the 2020 Womad in Taranaki and we are pleased that Seckou is here the first of those guest musicians to answer this world music questionnaire.
The first musician whose music really affected you was . . .
Solo Cissokho
Your first appearance on stage before an audience was . . . (And you were how old?)
It was at my Primary school (Ecole Lyndiane, Ziguinchor) show at age of 8
If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .
Football
The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear because they are so emotionally moving are . . .
“ Missing you” by Seckou Keita
“Hope “ by Youssou N’dour
“Choix de Joie” by Sk/Aka Trio
The most unusual place you have performed would be . . .?
In an unknown venue in Alaska 16 years ago..
The most important book you have read is . . .? And why?
A book called “Eat to Sleep“ A year ago I’ve been touring with not much sleep and my PR Tamsin Davies gave me the book as present, it changed my sleeping hours.
If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)
Youssou N'dour “Hope” or with Akon "Lonely”
The three films you'd like anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .
1/ Ray
2/ Black Panther
3/ THE SECKOU KEITA QUARTET tour of Senegal and Gambia. (See below)
The last CD, vinyl album or download you bought was . . .
'History' by Youssou N'dour
When you travel, what is it you most miss about your home country?
Weather and Food
The artist you most admire would be . . .
Richard Bona
Your favourite meal to share with friends would be . . .? (Care to share a simple recipe?)
Thiébou jen - a Senegalese speciality ”rice and fish"
Do you practice every day, and if so for how long?
Not every day, only when I can and timing depend on the mood…lol
David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” If that were true, you would spend them where, doing . . .?
With Family and Friends doing Music, Food and Prayers for our World
And finally, do you have any unrealised goals in music?
Yes…
For more details on Womad (ticketing, site maps and such) check their website here.
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