Focus Jali Fily Cissokho

Article by Severine

With the sun coming out, we thought it would be perfect time to get you in the mood for Summer. African beats are coming to my ears, melody and jamming...this sweet and suave voice is Jali Fily Cissokho Senegalese kora player who is new to We7. He talked to us about his music, his life in Senegal and Kaira Arts.

Hi Jali, how are you today?

Nbejan (fine in Mandinka my language)

You grew up in a very musical environment in Senegal. Could you tell us a bit more about it?

Yes. I was born in Ziguinchor, Cassamance region of Southern Senegal into a family of Griot (ancestral musicians). Our roots go back to the great Mali Empire where the Griot entertained and advised the Kings. Cissokho family has maintained its tradition to this day. Our house Jalikunda (house of Griot) is centred on this. Parents, sisters, brothers and friends all singing and playing instruments. Many visitors from overseas visit to experience our Griot tradition, for inspiration and/or collaboration. They may be professional musicians, students or just holiday makers. We're always jamming. We Griot begin our training at an early age. My first task was to help my late father build my kora. This way you know your instrument before you learn to play. I would listen to my father play and also my uncle the late Pa Messin Cissokho who was the first Griot to make and play a 31 string kora. My kora has 21 strings! I've been playing since about 6 years old and would race home from school to play my kora. Jali means blood-Music is in my blood, it's my work.

What are your musical and personal influences?

Of course I must pay respect to my late father the renowned Jali Kemo Cissokho who taught me my first track Kelefaba and my mother Bintou Conte, a famous singer from Guinea Conakry, who gave me my first song to sing. After this I accompanied my parents when they played at ceremonies (baptisms weddings etc.) tapping on the side of my father's kora while he played. Later I joined my older brother Solo Cissokho (of Elika and winner of BBC 3 world music awards). Solo continued to inspire and teach me. I listen to many of my people from Senegal, Mali, Gambia and enjoy our traditional rythms.

I've always loved the great kora player, Griot-Toumani Diabate. I listened to his cassettes at home when I was young and never dreamed that one day we would meet here in England. We 1st joined together at Womad 2007 and recently at the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester UK. Youssou N'Dour's amazing voice has also been another influence as well as his collaboration with Peter Gabriel. Jaliba Koyate from Gambia, who I recently met up with in my home town Ziguinchor. Bobby McFerrin's song, "Don't worry. Be happy.", I've been listening to it for a long time. He gives out the same message: "I'm Griot, it's my job to keep you happy". Stevie Wonder and of course the legendary Bob Marley.

How would you describe your music?

I'm a Griot, keeper of the history of my people handed down from the great Mali empire and still play and sing these ancient pieces but with my own inspiration. I continue to compose from my personal experiences hoping to bring peace through my music. I'm a Griot, a communicator and peacemaker.

The rythms are a mix of the south Senegal Cassamance djambadong and North of Senegal mblax. Since my travels out of Senegal you'll find some western influences in there. Some tracks are Afro Mandinka. I can give you some chill out tracks or get you up on your feet dancing. I like melody, I like you to enjoy my music.

How do you play the kora?

The kora gives me the freedom to improvise bass accompaniment and melody all at the same time. I use the thumb and forefinger of each hand to pluck the 21 strings. My other fingers hold the two holding sticks. I tune by moving the leather rings that hold the strings on the main stick. Mine is a traditional kora, some have keys to tune. I use a variety of tunings.

You have been touring in throughout Europe with your family. How was this experience for you?

It gave me a chance to experience other cultures-their lifestyle and music. Jamming with new musicians has opened up more possibilities for my music. I was happy to talk about life as a Griot . Many people had not heard of us and had never seen the kora before.

How did you come to be involved in the Kaira-Arts Company?

I formed Kaira Arts with Christine Lord who I met in Oxford during the 1st Jalikunda tour. She trained as a graphic artist, and worked in Ghana but after our meeting became fascinated with the kora and Griot culture. She's from a musical family as well so we work well together. She came over to Ziguinchor to stay with us and we made plans to form the company. I came back over on tour and we linked up. I'm now resident in the UK performing solo and with my new band Coute Diomboulo, a group of Senegal musicians. We also give workshops.

What do you hope to achieve with it?

Just to spread peace around. We are working on the therapeutic chill out values of my music. Taking music into the workplace.

I'm hoping to take my Coute Diomboulo Band on tour soon but we need sponsors to help us on our way. We have invested all our monies in producing the Doumajoulo CD! I want to stay in touch with my people back home and my local radio station Walfadjri is helping promote Doumajoulo and linking up with main Radio Television Dakar Senegal. They need video clips and we are looking for ways to get over to Senegal to film. These will be mixed with my UK clips.

I also have an ongoing family project in Ziguinchor, The Ziguinchor Music Centre. As we are internationally known as Jalikunda, we need to relocate my mother and family to accommodate visitors from overseas. We want to offer the experience of living with a Griot family and provide rehearsal and recording facilities. The building is funded solely by the family, but needs more financial input. Kaira supports this project and welcomes people to join us. The children of Ziguinchor will surely benefit from this work.

Are you playing any festivals this summer?

Yes. On the 15th of June, Pandaemonium Picnic (www.ocmevents.org), Truck (www.thisistruck.com) on the 20th of July and Gondwana Camp on the 20th of September (www.sheffieldlive.org).