S. Diabaté, J. Kuyateh & L. Dioubate @ Roots & Sprouts Festival 2026

In a premiere performance, Sory Diabaté, Jalikeba Kuyateh, and Lancei Doubate present traditional pieces from the West African griot tradition.

Griots uphold a centuries-old tradition: they preserve history, memory, and knowledge, passing them down through the generations through song and storytelling.

Sory is coming to Leipzig as a special guest. The singer and balafon player blends the Mandinka and Soussou traditions of Guinea with contemporary influences. After participating in various international projects (including Circus Baobab), he brings an extraordinary musical experience to the stage.

Together with Jalikeba, who learned to play the kora as a child in a Gambian griot family, and Lancei, a music educator and master drummer from Guinea, they create a unique concert deeply rooted in West African traditions.

These voices are accompanied by the iconic duo of the kora—the West African bridge harp—and the balafon, the pentatonic wooden xylophone.