South Africa’s master guitarist Derek Gripper magically conjures anew a centuries-old ancient South African musical heritage interpreting kora (21-string harp-lute) compositions on solo guitar. In this program, Derek plays kumbengo, the cyclical variations that sit at the heart of West African musical tradition. These small, ancient kernels of music focus the mind, soar to melodic heights, move the body, and ache the heart.

“It’s hard to imagine a more impressive and passionate rendering of Malian music on classical guitar.” – Afropop Worldwide

“A staggering achievement on solo guitar.” – Songlines Magazine

Presented by Robert Browning Associates and Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Roulette. Made possible in part with a grant from the Howard Gilman Foundation.

It was 15 years ago that Gripper did what everyone said was impossible: he recorded the works of Mali’s great Toumani Diabate on solo classical guitar. Since then, he has produced nearly 30 albums ranging from Diabate to Bach to Arvo Part to Keith Jarrett-style improvisations, and collaborated with Diabate, Ballake Sissoko, and classical guitar legend John Williams. By transcribing and recording Diabate, Derek argued that the word “classical” should belong to Africa as easily as it belongs to Europe. Toumani Diabate once showed the world that the virtuosity of Bach and modern jazz could live inside the Malian kora tradition. On Derek’s current tour, the same richness arrives on a single guitar.