Living
Legacies
Wali Cham was born in 1981 in Kembujeh, The Gambia. He was the last student of the much-revered master of the kora, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh. We filmed him by the sacred river near his home village of Kembujeh, Brikama, in the same place where his master last performed to camera. Wali played Tutu Jara for us, which was a favourite of Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and a piece, which he first transcribed from the konting into the kora repertoire. The nuances of his variations are reminiscent of a much older style of playing and this he feels is due to the time he spent with his master from a very early age.
As a kora player Wali has worked and recorded internationally with some of Africa’s finest artists including Kasse Mady Diabaté, Oumou Sangaré, Toumani Diabaté and the African Classical Music Ensemble. He is also member of Sambou Suso’s group, which travels widely across Gambia giving concerts and performances to all strata’s of society. On his travels he has collaborated with artists from diverse traditions including Indian classical musicians, Jazz and Reggae artists including Luciano. Although he has worked with many artists in different genres he has managed to maintain his unique traditional sound.
Wali Cham
(Kora)
TEACHERS & INSPIRATORS:
Sidiki Diabaté
Toumani Diabaté
Madou Diabaté
ARTISTS WORKED WITH:
Toumani Diabaté
Oumou Sangaré
Kasse Mady Diabaté