NMC & Alliance Française Present: A Kora Journey — Strings of Legacy

Discover a mesmerizing musical journey featuring Zal Sissokho and Senny Camara on kora and vocals. Together, they weave a subtle and moving dialogue, blending their voices and koras to create vibrant music exploring love and uniqueness.

Senny Camara, one of the few women in the world to play the kora, brings an inspiring artistic presence, pushing the boundaries of a tradition long dominated by men. Alongside her, Zal Sissokho, a master kora player from a renowned griot family, delivers the full richness of the Mandinka tradition. Their performance is driven by deep listening and great musical generosity.

About Zal Sissokho

Not every African musician is a griot—bearers of oral traditions belong to the Kouyaté, Diabaté, or Sissokho families, the three great lineages preserving the memory of the Mandinka people. Zal Idrissa Sissokho carries both the name and the background, along with an incredible ability to improvise.

Arriving in Montreal in 1999, Zal has been recognized by the Canada and Quebec Councils for the Arts multiple times. A prolific artist eager to evolve the kora and Afro-Mandingo music, he has gained wide recognition and collaborated globally.

The kora, a 21-string African harp, blends beautifully with contemporary Western music in his compositions. Through addressing current and timeless societal themes, Zal’s warm voice and committed words invite listeners on a journey of discovery. His five albums showcase rich collaborations and a passion for sharing his art.

About Senny Camara

Senny Camara’s kora playing is a powerful healing force, bringing the traditionally male instrument into feminine hands. Music for her is a story told through strings—an ally enabling her artistic and personal fulfillment.

Rebellious, free, and tenacious, Senny draws inspiration from totemic women like Nina Simone, Fatou Diome, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Vandana Shiva, and the Senegalese-Guinean diva Mahawa Kouyaté. Her greatest influence, however, is her grandmother, who raised her in the traditions of the Serer people in Tataguine, southern Senegal.

Through her grandmother, Senny also connected deeply with her father’s Mandingue culture. Her father, a former Senegalese soldier, inspired her with his love for France.

Today, Senny is one of the few women worldwide to master the kora. Her music, lyrics, and voice express a subtle struggle for love and unity—a sacred harmony embraced by elder griots and master players of the Kora.