About

Bath Folk Festival returns to venues across the city! They are proud to introduce virtuoso kora player Suntou Susso and his powerhouse band unite Afro-Manding tradition with folk, funk, jazz and soul in an irresistible celebration of music, heritage and pure joy.

Suntou Susso – a virtuoso kora player, singer-songwriter and composer from The Gambia living in the UK – was born into the Griot tradition. Fresh from releasing his multi award-winning second album, Jaliya Silokang – The Path of a Griot, Suntou and his band are bringing his exciting new music to you. Suntou's compositions are rooted in the Afro-Manding and Griot musical tradition with influences from folk, funk, jazz and soul. He is joined by a powerhouse lineup of musicians, performing together in the UK for the very first time. Collectively, they'll be bringing the mindblowing musicianship and authentic sunshine energy of the Smiling Coast of Africa.

Griots play an important cultural role as peacekeepers, advisors and oral historians, transmitting teachings and preserving a people's culture using song, music and poetry. Whilst this is an ancient role, Suntou's latest album explores this role in a contemporary, global context. Drawing on his own experiences as well as the wisdom of elders and youth alike, the album is a journey into heritage and a hopeful vision for what lies ahead. In this way, Suntou is a guardian of the Griot musical and cultural tradition and a bold innovator of its future.
The Future is Ancestral.

"The music, the joy, I've never seen so much energy and dancing…everyone was up and moving." – Rachel Naylor, Programmer, Kings Place

"Gambian party-starter, Suntou Susso" – The Guardian