SHE’S played alongside the likes of Bono, Sinead O’Cinnor, Jackson Browne, The Chieftains, Willie Nelson, Nigel Kennedy and Shane MacGowan. Now button accordion player, Sharon Shannon, is hitting the road with her band and special guest, kora maestro Seckou Keita, arriving at Lighthouse Poole next Wednesday, June 12.
A former member of The Waterboys, Sharon’s 12 studio albums to date have mixed traditional Irish music with reggae, country, Native American, bluegrass, rap, dance, African and French Canadian styles.
Since her debut album became Ireland’s biggest selling record by a traditional artist, she has entertained US presidents Clinton at the White House and Obama in Dublin as well as Irish presidents Robinson and MacAleese on visits to Poland and Australia respectively. She recently accompanied Irish president Michael D Higgins on his official tour of China.
Appearing with Sharon Shannon and her band, Seckou Keita is described as the most influential and inspiring kora player of his generation.
An exceptional and charismatic musician, griot (praise singer), composer, djembe master, virtuoso and pioneer, Seckou Keita firmly seats his music in tradition while constantly pushing the boundaries of his art.
A true master of the kora – a 22-stringed West African harp – Seckou, who hails from the ancient kingdom of Gabou in Southern Senegal, was a childhood prodigy, born of a line of griots and kings.
n To book tickets for Sharon Shannon's show on June 12, visit lighthousepoole.co.uk
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