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There is no competition at the moment.

Seckou Keita is a brilliant live performer with stacks of charisma, and one of the
few champions of the less-known and rhythmically rocking kora repertoire from Casamance
in southern Senegal where he is from. - Lucy Duran – Radio BBC3

Seckou keita, an inspired exponent of the Kora that can makes the West African harp-lute
sound like a small band Robin Denselow - Guardian

Seckou Keita was born in Ziguinchor, Senegal on 14 February 1978 in a griot family
(hereditary musicians). It was under the guidance of his uncle Solo Cissokho that Keita launched
his international career in 1996, with appearances at Norway’s Forde Festival in a successful
collaboration with Cuban, Indian and Scandinavian musicians.

In the years that followed, Keita relocated to the UK, while touring regularly in Spain,
France, Portugal, Greece and Czech Republic as well as playing at such prestigious festivals as
Womad and Glastonbury, both as a solo musician, and in collaboration with acclaimed figures like
Indian violinist Dr L Subrimaniam.

He became a member of the popular world music group Baka Beyond in 1998, contributing to their
well-received East To West album, and in 2000 began to record his own solo debut Baiyo (retitled Mali
for a later release through Arc Music), which encompassed his musical journey to that date, from Africa
to Europe, via India.

With support slots to luminaries like Salif Keita and Youssou N’Dour, solo slots at London’s Jazz
Café and at Ireland’s Sacred Music Festival, and a nomination in 2001 for BBC Radio 3’s prestigious
World Music Award, it’s clear that Keita’s many collaborations have fed and extended rather than diluted
the African mainspring of his music.

This is why Keita’s current project, the Seckou Keita SKQ seems so exciting, drawing together a
group of musicians from disparate origins, who nonetheless superbly complement one another. The richly
layered songs on Seckou Keita SKQ’s pasr Tama-Silo album range from the haunting African Soul of
‘Tounga’ to upbeat floor-fillers like ‘Sina Mory’ and ‘N’fa Quartet’. With over 100 live performances,
their sound becomes incredibly tight and original.

“Everything in music has to be honest, and the deeper meanings of the songs and melodies must be
preserved”, he explains. “This is why it’s important that collaborations should be right for
the music”

A brilliant performer, Seckou also likes to share with people. His education work is less known to
the public but is real. He regularly runs drumming and kora workshops in schools, arts centres,
festivals working with organisations such as Music For change, Creative Partnerships and Womad.

Finally, he is also a regular guest leader for Sewabeat Company who offers alternative training
package for Commercial Corporation.

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Press Release

For all other info contact .

8- 20 January 2011: Intermediate/Advanced level

19 Feb- 3 March 2011: Improver/Intermediate level

Abéné – Casamance – Sénégal

After the immense success of the past few years, we are very delighted to announce the 2011 editions of the “drumming workshops in Senegal”, led by Seckou Keita.

With an international reputation and an incredible versatility, Seckou Keita is one of the few artists has been described as a virtuoso on Kora and percussion instruments such as the Djembe,  Sabar, Seourouba or even the Drum Kit. “Seckou is such a generous teacher and person. It was a privilege to be part of this experience”

Seckou will teach traditional rhythms with solos and breaks. He will also run several musical sessions inviting other fellow artists to join in on kora, balafon and voices. This format was tested last year and we were asked for more!

Expect world class tuitions, good vibe, inspiration, adventure, challenge and fun!!

Location: All workshops will take place in the incredible beach village of Abéné, in Casamance, about 1 hour from the Gambian border. The village has become a hub for artists, with a large community of drumming and dancing troupes, as well as crafts include woodcarving, traditional artefacts and batik fabric dying..

What the package includes: 25 hours tuitions, standard but comfortable accommodations on a shared basis, breakfast, lunch and dinner, transport to and from Banjul Airport (from Banjul on 7 Jan, 21 Jan, 18 Feb and 4 March 2011 ), all instruments provided, support throughout the year to help you prepare to the workshop, carbone emissions offset for your time in Senegal

What it does not include: Flights, travel insurance, drinks, excursions and any other personal expenses.

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WORKHOP

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE IMPROVER/INTERMEDIATE WORKHOP

IMPORTANT NOTE: Evaluating your level

Have you got any doubt about your level? Here is some guidance:

Improver/Intermediate means that you have been playing regularly for at least 2 years and know an average of 15 traditional Mandeng rhythms such as Yankadi, Kuku, Soli Lent, Toro, Djolé, Gidamba, Fé and Dalah

Intermediate/advanced means that you have been playing regularly for at least 4 years, you can do the rolls in 4-5 and 6, and know a few traditional solos. You should know an average of about 30 traditional Mandeng rhythms such as Sorsonet, Djansa, Sunu, Yankadi, Tiriba, Soboninkun, Wassolonka, Soliwulen, Abondan and Bao

This is a guide only and if you have any doubt, feel free to call or email us o check

Due to popular demand, we have introduced new optional musical sessions to complement your stay:

Optional 10 hours Dun-Dun sessions: For the workshops we have designed a 10 hours dun dun workshop that will be spread throughout the 2 weeks. This will be a perfect opportunity to learn, practice and explore further Dun-Dun patterns and rhythms that will have been taught during the Djembe workshops. (Maximum 12 participants)

Optional 10 hours Kora sessions: led by workshop manager and Seckou’s own Kora maker, Aliou Gassama who is an experienced teacher. Because of the nature of the instrument, the sessions will include a strong individual focus (Max 6 participants)

Optional 10 hours singing sessions led by one of the most amazing African female singer Binta Suso. She will teach a selection of songs from the Mandinka repertoire. (Maximum 10 participants)

Optional 10 hours Balafon sessions. This is a great chance to learn a few songs on the Balafon. Name of the teacher shall be confirmed up to 1 month before the workshop (Maximum 6 participants)

Prices:

We have kept prices as low as possible to enable most to attend. That means no hot showers or luxury involved but a comfortable place with good vibe, inspiration, adventure, challenge and fun!!

Early Bird rate (valid until 31 July 2010): £700

Normal rate (from 1 Aug 2010): £800

Optional Dun Dun/Kora/Balafon/singing sessions  (10 hours) : £150

What past participants have said:

“You guys are so inspiring!”

“It was amazing! When is the next one?

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED WORKHOP

BOOK YOUR PLACE FOR THE IMPROVER/INTERMEDIATE WORKHOP

For further info or bookings, contact us info@worldartventures.com or by phone + 44 7940 266 773.

Places booked are exchangeable but non refundable. Although it is unlikely that the event will be cancelled, or subjected to changes in dates and location, please note that World Artventures will refund your bookings but shall not be responsible for refunding travel costs should this occur. Please ensure you have travel insurance to cover you in these circumstances or others that life sometimes throws at us.. .

The details on the workshops in Senegal 2011 are finally online!!! - INFO AND BOOKINGS HERE

Forthcoming UK workshops dates:

Week end  17-18 April 2010/ 19-20 June 2010/9-12 September 2010/04-07 November 2010 : drumming workshop in Salisbury - All enquiries to Coral on 0776 240 811 or email

5 June 2010- :Drumming Workshops at the African Beat Camp Day Meadow Valley Farm, Nash Road, Thornborough, Buckinghamshire - There are still tickets left. Please contact Justine by email

8-11 July 2010 - :Drumming Workshops at the Drum Camp in Norfolk - There are still tickets left. Please contact Gary :gary@musicworldwide.org

3 - 7 August 2010- :Drumming Workshops at the African Drum Village, Glen Isla, Scotland
Contact Steve Haden on 07971535099 or by email

10 - 15 August 2010- :Drumming Workshops at the Tribe of Doris, Devon

It is rare to see someone being outstanding at playing 2 different instruments. But Seckou is
one of them. Seckou has been learning simultaneously the kora and West African percussions.

He plays variety of drums from his natal Mandinka Seourouba drum, to wolof drums, drum kit and
of course the most known west African drum: the Djembe.

He has performed on drum kit and West African percussions on records for Baka Beyond,
Jallikunda Cissokho, Elika and Solo, Mark Flanagan and Flook.