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Barbara B. Smith World Music Series: Ballake Sissko, kora & Derek Gripper, guitar
Location: Hatch Recital Hall - 2-13-2026 12:30 am - 2:00 am (America/New_York) (1 hour 30 minutes)

Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, widely considered to be one of the greatest touring kora players, joins Derek Gripper, South Africa’s leading guitarist, whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works, changing the face of classical guitar, and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire. In this concert the artists look at the unbroken musical tradition of the griots of Mali—through French occupation and colonization, it still emerged as one of humanity’s most astonishing aural traditions. Visit EastmanTheatre.org or call (585) 274-3000 to purchase tickets for this and other Eastman Presents concerts. The World Music Series is sponsored by a generous gift from Barbara B. Smith. 3D Tour of Hatch Recital Hall

Performance Details