Two masters of West African music collaborate - Shoreham

Two masters of West African music collaborate to celebrate the enduring griot tradition.

Habib Koité and Sura Susso set on our their Manding Melody Tour 2026. On October 24, they play Turner Sims, Southampton; on October 30, they play Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham, performing music from their new album.

Spokeswoman Julie Allison said: “Manding Melody marks the coming together of two of West Africa's most compelling musical voices: Malian guitar virtuoso Habib Koité and Gambian kora maestro Sura Susso, in a landmark collaboration encompassing a major UK tour and a brilliant new album. The tour will see them perform new material from Susso’s forthcoming album Londi released on October 9.

“Londi – knowledge in Mandinka – celebrates the enduring legacy of the griot tradition. Known as djeli in Mandinka culture, griots are storytellers, historians, musicians, and custodians of oral heritage, who pass knowledge and ancestral wisdom from one generation to the next, not through books, but through voices, melodies and performance, a lineage both Koité and Susso were born into.

“Rooted in collaboration and a deep respect for tradition, Londi brings Manding culture into the present, reimagining ancient folk tales through intricate musicianship and contemporary arrangements.

“The Manding Melody tour brings together kora, balafon, percussion, bass and soaring vocals in a vibrant contemporary celebration of Manding heritage. Led by Susso, it is a rich, cross-generational project uniting musicians from Senegal, Mali, and The Gambia. At its heart is a powerful musical dialogue with Koité, whose rich and iconic guitar style has captivated audiences worldwide.

“The project’s origins can be traced back to 2016, when concert promoter African Night Fever organised Koité's first UK tour and invited Susso to perform as support artist. What began as a series of performances soon developed into a profound artistic friendship. Through nightly improvisations and shared experiences on and off stage, a unique musical dialogue emerged.

“Ten years on, that friendship has blossomed into Londi, an album that honours the past while embracing the future. Recorded in The Gambia and Mali, four of these ten tracks were recorded in Bamako with Habib and a further six by Sura and his band in Banjul. A very special guest, Gambian Jaliba Kuyateh, a true giant of the Kora, is featured on Yamaro.

“Ahead of the album release and tour, Susso releases Londi, the title track from the album. Celebrating knowledge as one of humanity's greatest treasures, it is performed in both Mandinka and Wolof. The song reminds us that wisdom grows when it is shared, encouraging listeners to honour their roots while passing knowledge and hope to future generations.

“Susso and Koité open a window onto Manding’s rich musical tradition, preserving its storytelling legacy while inviting audiences to experience the beauty, power and timeless spirit of Manding culture.”