| Maya Sona Jobarteh | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, UK/Gambia |
| Genre(s) | soul |
| Years active | 1987 - present |
| Label(s) | Souljazzfunk |
| Website | http://www.sonasoul.com |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Vocal, kora, guitar | |
Maya Sona Jobarteh is a Malian musician. She was born in 1983 into one of the five principal Kora-playing Griot families from West Africa. She is the granddaughter of the Master Griot of his generation, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, and cousin of the well-known, celebrated Kora player Toumani Diabate. She is the sister of the renowned Diaspora Kora player Tunde Jegede. Jobarteh is a student of African history at SOAS.
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Performances
She studied the Kora at the age of three, and gave her first performance at London’s Jazz Café when she was four. As a performing musician, Maya is a regular member of the Tunde Jegede Ensemble, which has toured England, Ireland and parts of the Caribbean. She has collaborated with composers Michael O'Suilleabhain and Donal Lunny on River of Sound with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, featuring Evelyn Glennie. Other collaborative work with orchestras have included performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Milton Keynes City Orchestra and the Viva Chamber Orchestra.
Film Credits
- 500 Years Later (Kora player who opened the film)
- The Idea (actress)
Song list
- "If I ..." Ocacia (2006)
- "Life Saver" HKB FiNN (2003)
- "Fountain of a people's hope" Tunde Jegede (1995)
