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Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational program of the West African kora, a 21-string harp, featuring songs that are the heart and soul of the kora's musical repertoire. Signup required.
Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, a 21-string harp, that he learned to play over multiple trips to visit his teachers in the country of Gambia. He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire.
The kora is native to the Mandinka people living in the West African nations of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Niger.
Typically having 21-22 strings, the kora is played by oral historians known as Griots (pronounced GREE-OHS). While the kora may sound peaceful on the surface, many songs tell stories of war, hardship, empire expansion, and the struggle of African peoples.
This event is sponsored by The Friends of the Tinley Park Public Library.
Presenter Bio: Sean Gaskell first heard the kora performed live in his hometown of Olympia, Washington, USA in 2006. That performance by Kane Mathis, who would become his first teacher, inspired him to immerse himself in music of the kora and travel to its homeland in West Africa. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots, often called Jalis or Jelis. Many songs tell story of war, hardship, love, and loss all while presenting the history and fabric of Mande society, of which the instrument originates. Visits to Brikama, Gambia, West Africa provided Gaskell the opportunity to study the kora under the instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and his father, the late Malamini Jobarteh. Gaskell has presented adult, youth, and family programs at over 350 libraries and a multitude of K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada. He is currently based in Asheville, North Carolina, USA and offers digital lessons and performances via Zoom as well as in-person performances.
AGE GROUP: | Adult |
EVENT TYPE: | Senior-friendly | Music | Friends of the Library | Entertainment & Culture |
Today's hours
We're open 9:00AM to 5:00PM
| Mon, May 05 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
| Tue, May 06 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
| Wed, May 07 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
| Thu, May 08 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
| Fri, May 09 | 9:00AM to 9:00PM |
| Sat, May 10 | 9:00AM to 5:00PM |
| Sun, May 11 | Closed |
The Tinley Park Public Library is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals who require an accommodation for a disability for any library presentation should contact the library at 708.532.0160, x3 at least ten working days before an event.
