PALOS HILLS, Ill. (RNS) – A musical play explores the shared history of Islam, Africa and blues music through the eyes of an enslaved storyteller-musician.

That is, until Sona Jobarteh. At 39, she has become one of the foremost kora players in the world, performing with her band across Europe, West Africa, and here in the United States, as we saw in ...

While attending Jackson State University both Garry and Hicks were a part of a performance based arts collective focused on carrying on the traditions of West African griots. Through music, spoken ...

Griots and the music of West African Tribes. The Griots, in West African villages are musicians, storytellers, entertainers, and keepers of culture in what is essentially an oral tradition.

Juandolyn Stokes’ Griot: Word Painting *LeChateau Earl Records today announces the debut album release of Griot: Word Painting, narrated by recording artist, poet, author, and renowned talk ...

Omar Thomas is a large ensemble composer who’s had work commissioned by Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. His newest album, “Griot Songs,” ...

Sona Jobarteh was born into one of those families, called griots. The daughter of a Gambian father and a British mother. After hundreds of years of men, she is the first woman to master the kora.