Sona Jobarteh

Sona Jobarteh is a Gambian multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer. She is from one of the five principal kora-playing griot families of West Africa, and is the first female professional kora player to come from a griot family. She is the cousin of the celebrated kora player Toumani Diabaté, and is the sister of the diaspora kora player Tunde Jegede. Born in London, Maya Sona Jobarteh is a member of one of the five principal kora-playing families from West Africa, and the first female member of such a family to rise to prominence on this instrument.