Artists

Solo Diarra is a griot, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Burkina Faso, based in Norway since 2010. Born into a griot family, he carries a musical and oral tradition in which history, knowledge, music and storytelling are passed from generation to generation.

His work centres on voice and West African instruments including ngoni, djembe, calabash, talking drum and balafon. In his debut album and concert project YIMENGA, that heritage meets jazz, improvisation and contemporary Nordic musical expression.

Sarjo Sankareh is a storyteller and dancer. In Foli Arts, Sarjo works through movement, bodily presence and non-verbal interaction, in Calabash Tales, Balafon and the Talking Tree, BabyGroove, Sensorisk musikk and Rhythm & Story.

Bafana Nhlapo is a South African vocalist and percussionist. He brings vocal layers, rhythmic force and a strong live musical dialogue with Solo, in Calabash Tales, the adult Afro drumming workshops and the YIMENGA quartet.

Adama Barry comes from the Fulani cultural tradition of Burkina Faso and works as a musician, flautist, vocalist and storyteller. He has extensive experience creating interactive musical experiences for children, and performs in Afro Drumming & Movement for Children.

Adjei Ipateng leads the movement element of Afro Drumming & Movement for Adults, connecting rhythm to the body through coordination, physical expression and movement with the drum. Adjei also performs in the djembe crew with Solo and Bafana.