Biography
Suntou Susso was born into a hereditary griot family in The Gambia, with deep roots in both Gambian and Senegalese Mandinka culture. From age four he trained under his father Mamudou Susso, inheriting a lineage of oral historians, storytellers, and musicians stretching back over 700 years. The griot (or jali in Mandinka) role is not merely artistic — it carries spiritual and social weight as keeper of communal memory and peace. Suntou's primary instrument is the kora, the 22-stringed harp-lute inseparable from the griot tradition, and he also performs as vocalist and percussionist.
After establishing himself on the UK music scene, Susso debuted with his self-written, self-produced album Kanéfonyo (Never Give Up) in 2022, earning a 4-star review in Songlines Magazine. His live performances are notable for blending traditional Afro-Manding polyrhythms with folk, jazz, funk, and soul influences — and for his unusual use of a live effects pedalboard with the kora, which led 360 Degree Radio Show's Tim Tyson Short to dub him "the Jimi Hendrix of the kora." He sings in Mandinka and structures shows as a fusion of music and storytelling true to griot custom. His 2025 follow-up album Jaliya Silokang – The Path of a Griot featured 24 musicians from 10 countries and collaborations with Vieux Farka Touré, K.O.G., and his sister Binta Suso, recorded across Senegal and the UK.
Susso has performed at Glastonbury, WOMAD, Greenbelt, and Manchester Folk Festival, and toured with his half-brother Seckou Keita's Homelands Band. He is part of one of West Africa's most distinguished musical dynasties — a family that includes Seckou Keita, Solo Cissokho, and Mamudou Susso among its internationally recognized figures. His stated measure of success is "fulfilling the purpose of a Griot and following the path of my ancestors — travelling and spreading the message of peace, love and respect," a philosophy that runs through his environmental and cultural advocacy work, including a partnership with Green-Up Gambia's reforestation initiatives.
Enhanced with Claude AI research
Fun Facts
- He uses a live effects pedalboard with the kora — a highly unconventional approach that earned him the nickname 'the Jimi Hendrix of the kora' from 360 Degree Radio Show host Tim Tyson Short.
- Most of his new compositions come to him while walking — whether through nature or city streets.
- His debut album title Kanéfonyo means 'Never Give Up' in Mandinka; his second album Jaliya Silokang means 'The Path of a Griot' — jaliya being the Mandinka word for the griot art form itself.
- His debut album was supported by Arts Council England and Help Musicians via the National Lottery, reflecting formal UK institutional recognition of the griot tradition as a living cultural form.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Mamudou Susso - Suntou's father, who began teaching him kora and griot traditions at age four; they have also performed together on a Father & Son Tour [childhood onwards]
Key Collaborators
- Seckou Keita - Half-brother and internationally acclaimed kora player; Suntou toured with Keita's Homelands Band in 2024
- Vieux Farka Touré - Malian guitarist (son of Ali Farka Touré); collaborated on 'Joulou Fola' from Jaliya Silokang (Jaliya Silokang – The Path of a Griot (2025))
- Youssou N'Dour - Legendary Senegalese singer; Suntou performed alongside him at the O2 Arena, London
- Binta Suso - His sister, vocalist; featured on 'Jula Jekereh' from Jaliya Silokang (Jaliya Silokang – The Path of a Griot (2025))
- K.O.G. - Ghanaian musician; collaborated on 'Lannaya' (Jaliya Silokang – The Path of a Griot (2025))
- This Is the Kit - UK indie/folk band; Susso recorded on their album produced by Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) [2020s]
- Sarah-Jane Morris - Celebrated jazz singer; live collaborator [2020s]
- Chris Kimsey - Producer known for work with the Rolling Stones; recorded with Suntou in 2024
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Suntou Susso has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.