Diabel Cissokho hails from a long line of griots that have been celebrated worldwide. The West African blues maestro has often played alongside his family band and esteemed artists such as Fela Kuti, Youssou N’Dour and Manu Dibango in UK venues ranging from Glastonbury, the Barbican and recently at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Renowned for his exceptional talent playing the kora (a traditional West African stringed instrument made from pumpkin skin) we sat down with him at WOMAD UK 2016 to discuss his musical roots and the power of music. We were also lucky enough to witness his masterful command of the beautiful instrument as he strummed some rhythms for us backstage.
