Seckou Keita w/guests | UK, Norway

Seckou Keita has established himself as one of the most significant and inspiring koras players of his generation, an exceptional and charismatic musician, throughout his 30 years as an artist. His international career began in 1996, at Førdefestivalen . Then Seckou Keita participated in the festival's international talent project, They were two from Senegal, two from India, two from Cuba and three young Norwegian musicians. Travel to Førde was also his very first trip out of Senegal, and it was his uncle, kora player Solo Cissokho (1963-2019), who brought him here.  

Three years later, Seckou Keita settled in the UK, where he still lives, when he is not touring the world and performing on stage with his band or with other musicians, conveying his 700-year-old inherited tradition in a lively and engaging way. Seckou Keita is one with the kora and its 22 strings.  

Seckou Keita's concert in Førde is part of his 30-year Anniversary Tour – throughout 2026 he will be celebrating his 30th year as an artist, and it means a lot to him to play on Førdefestivalen this year. With him as guests is singer and fiddler Lajla Storli who was part of the talent project in Førde in 1998, and the ngoni and guitar master Olav Torget , who played with Solo Cissokho for many years. Olav Torget had a long collaboration with Solo Cissokho.  

Seckou Keita – kora, vocals 

Lajla Storli – vocals, Hardanger fiddle

Olav Torget – ngoni, guitar