Yacouba Sissoko & SIYA

Malian musician Yacouba Sissoko is one of a long ancestral line of djelys [DJEE-lee] —musicians who preserve the history and fables of past rulers, nobles, social groups, and families. As a master of the kora – the long-necked West African lute that is the djely’s principal instrument – Yacouba devotes his musical gift to expanding the awareness of West African history and culture, spreading the word of peace, and empowering his listeners to take charge and realize their imagined futures. His performances have a magical effect on audiences as he skillfully transforms traditional songs and stories that he learned from his forefathers into modern day messages of peace, love, and harmony. He has performed internationally with musicians in many genres (including Baaba Maal, Paul Simon, Lauryn Hill, and Harry Belafonte), and he has been a teaching artist at Carnegie Hall and other institutions.