Sona Jobarteh Band
1 upcoming show.
The Sona Jobarteh Band is the musical ensemble fronted by Sona Jobarteh, a pioneering Gambian griot and the first internationally recognized female kora virtuoso from a prestigious West African griot family. The group blends traditional Manding music with Afropop and blues, performing songs that explore identity, love, and respect while bridging tradition and contemporary culture. Jobarteh is also known for her activism and founding of The Gambia Academy to support educational reform in Africa.
Reviews & press
- RootsWorld ↗ — “I witnessed a hurricane come through Somerville tonight... referring to the larger than life person and persona that is Sona Jobarteh. ... The entire show was a dynamic blur, with interesting jazz-lik”
- Global Arts Live (quoting The Guardian) ↗ — “Sona Jobarteh is Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso, and also a fine singer and composer, blending traditional music, blues and Afropop to impressive effect.”