Suntou Susso

Live Music in the Theatre at Horse + Bamboo from Suntou Susso

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 abilitiesare 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.