African Harp & Trumpet

The first time I listened to Ablaye Cissoko and Volker Goetze’s album Sira I didn’t discern which instruments I heard. I simply enjoyed the flowing, expansive melodies.

Cissoko plays an African harp called a kora, which he makes by hand. His phrases are intricate and he accompanies them with a gentle falsetto. Goetze plays trumpet with superb use of a mute. The two weave a sound which is serene, spacious and bright.

I saw the duo perform last fall at the Royal cinema. I’d become very familiar with Cissoko’s singing voice on Sira, so it was a surprise to hear that he has such a deep speaking voice. He shared many stories with the audience, all in French. It fell to Goetze to translate. It was instantly obvious that he was an introvert, uneasy with having to convey everything on the spot. Cissoko teased him regularly, saying Goetze knew the stories and could tell them himself instead of waiting for Cissoko, then struggling to come up with the explanation. There was also mutual affection between them. This was especially clear as Cissoko extended his had toward Goetze and credited him after every song.

Cissoko told us how he wrote Haïti while in L.A. He and Goetze were performing at a gala event and it struck Cissoko that there was so much opulence where they were, while in Haïti there was such poverty and danger. Cissoko comes from a long line of storytellers, musicians and societal leaders. The concert coincided with the release of the documentary Griot.  Featuring Cissoko, produced and directed by Goetze, the film is about music, history and human rights.