Suntou Susso

About 
Suntou Susso is a multi-instrumentalist - kora player, percussionist, singer and composer - from The Gambia who was born a Griot. His primary instrument, the kora is a harp-lute with 22 strings and is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people. Coming from a 700-year-old tradition, Griots play an important cultural role as peacekeepers, advisors and oral historians, preserving and transmitting a people's culture through the generations using song, music and poetry.

Since the release of his self-written debut album, Kanéfonyo (Never Give Up) in 2022, Suntou's career has gained serious momentum and he is an in-demand and charismatic performer. November 2025 saw the release of his long-awaited second studio album, Jaliya Silokang - The Path of a Griot. Drawing on the wisdom of elders and youth alike, Suntou acts as a vessel imparting lessons in how to live a good and honest life in today’s world. The album is both a journey into heritage and a bright, hopeful vision for what lies ahead. In this way, he is at once a guardian of the Griot tradition and a bold innovator of its future.

Suntou performs in a range of musical settings. Either solo with a more traditional sound, or leading his seven-piece band whose music innovatively blends Mandinka musical traditions with jazz, funk and soul; and appears as part of British-Gambian folk duo. He also performs among other impressive collaborations and projects. Suntou’s musical abilities are considered unique for his generation.

Suntou's family includes some of the world’s most highly respected West African musicians including Seckou Keita, Solo Cissokho and Mamudou Susso.

Career highlights and collaborations to date
2026: 
Awarded two Gold Medals in the Global Music Awards for Composer / Composition and Originality / Creativity categories
Shortlisted in the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik (German Record Critics' Award) in the Traditional Ethnic Music category
Performed The Future is Ancestral 29-date solo tour across England, Wales and Scotland
2025: 
Suntou recorded and released his second album Jaliya Silokang - The Path of a Griot with a large sold out album launch at 229 in London and global critical acclaim
Suntou and his Dad, Griot elder and kora master Jali Mamudou Susso performed the Father & Son Tour in 15 venues across the UK (70% of shows sold out)
2024: 
Solo tour (80% of shows were sold out)
Played on Mark Radcliffe’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Show programme
Toured with half-brother, Seckou Keita and his Homelands Band
Performed at 29 music festivals including Glastonbury, WOMAD and Green Man Festival
Recorded for Boris Grebenshchikov with Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey
Featured and performed on BBC Radio Four’s Last Word special about the life of legendary kora player, Toumani Diabaté
Honoured as an Honorary Benefactor Member of UNESCO Gambia for his contribution to cultural preservation
Lead a film crew to Gambia to make a documentary about his culture, and whilst there, performed a Homecoming Tour with his Gambian band
2023: 
Completed a 20-date UK album tour with his six-piece band
Supported Vieux Farka Touré on his UK tour
Recorded with This is the Kit on their latest album, produced by Gruff Rhys, and consequently performed with them at Glastonbury 2024 on the Park Stage 
Released his debut album, Kanéfonyo (Never Give Up), receiving a 4* review from Songlines Magazine
2018: 
Performed alongside world famous Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour at the O2
2017: 
Key member of Norway-based Kristin Asbjornsen Trio, co-composed and recorded a successful album, performing at jazz festivals around Europe
2016: 
A member of Ghazalaw - an Indian-Welsh fusion project featured on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6
2014: 
Performed with celebrated jazz singer, Sarah Jane Morris and guitarist, Tony Remy at Ronnie Scott’s
Performed alongside South African opera singer Pumeza Matshikiza and brother, Sura Susso on ITV's This Morning
2012: 
Performed with Davide Mantovani in a kora and modern jazz fusion
Toured with Seckou Keita