Sona Jobarteh

Sona Jobarteh, born on October seventeenth, nineteen eighty-three, is a distinguished Gambian musician, singer, and composer. Renowned for her exceptional talent as a multi-instrumentalist, she has carved a unique niche in the world of music, particularly as a kora player.

Hailing from one of the five principal kora-playing griot families of West Africa, Sona holds the remarkable distinction of being the first female professional kora player to emerge from a griot lineage. This heritage is steeped in musical tradition, with her grandfather, Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, being a celebrated kora virtuoso.

In addition to her familial connections, Sona is related to other prominent figures in the kora music scene, including her cousin, the renowned kora player Toumani Diabaté, and her brother, Tunde Jegede, who is also a notable kora player in the diaspora. Through her artistry, Sona Jobarteh continues to honor her rich cultural legacy while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.