Sona Jobarteh is a unique and pioneering musical icon of her time whose renown has been rapidly flourishing globally. Jobareh was born into a Griot family from the Gambia. Griots are a class of traveling poets, musicians, and storytellers who maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa that dates back seven centuries. 

Jobarteh is the first female within this tradition to become a professional virtuoso on the Kora and she  delicately balances the preservation of her rich cultural heritage while staying accessible to modern audiences around the globe. Beyond being a Kora virtuoso and singer, she creates a stirring blend of traditional Mande music, Afropop, and rock.  At the heart of her success as an artist that is dedicated to humanitarian activism standing for social development and educational reform in Africa. Jobarteh is as dedicated to her activism as she is to her Kora and is the Founding Director of The Gambia Academy.

We are excited to hear her forthcoming album Kambengwo  (working title), featuring cameo performances by Youssou N'Dour, Ballake Cissoko, and Kirk Whalum.

Jobarteh has announced an eight-date tour of the United States in March and starts at City Winery DC on March 13th

We hope you can join us at City Winery to welcome and hear this international virtuoso in her March 2022 Tour Debut.

To learn more about Sona Jobarteh, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube
• TIDAL