Living
Legacies
Tata Dindin was born in 1968 in Brikama, The Gambia. He is the son of the celebrated kora maestro, Malamini Jobarteh and grandson to Alhaji Bai Konteh. In our discussion we looked at issues surrounding the griot tradition, its social impact and the changes that had occurred within Gambian society as a whole. Tata expressed that in the quiet of his mind, when he reflected on the griot tradition, he saw the dire need to maintain this legacy and felt we were losing the touch of the old masters. He reminded us that if we don’t salvage this rich inheritance we would eventually lose trace of their sound and sensibility.
Tata is one of Gambia’s foremost kora players and has toured and recorded all over the world. He is a composer, arranger and bandleader who has been a beacon for traditional music in the country. Tata put emphasis on the universality of being an artist who embraces wider culture, and music being a tool for a bigger purpose. Despite this he was very aware of the unique lineage of the griot tradition and it’s long-term importance to culture globally. He often referred to himself as a musician before a griot, which allowed him to connect with fellow artists on the international platform.
Tata Dindin
(Interview)
INTERVIEW:
Interviewed by Tunde Jegede
12/02/2014
Brikama, The Gambia
Hi-Res Lo-Res
