Gripper to play West African rhythms

Globally renowned South African guitarist Derek Gripper willbring his immersive concert experience, Music from the Strings of Mali, to Australia, including in Geelong on Monday, January 22.

The show features a unique blend of West African rhythms, timeless classical, and inspiring melodies from Toumani Diabaté, Arvo Pärt and Bach.

The national tour, which starts today (Friday, January 19) in Adelaide, follows a string of successful sold-out shows in the United States of America, including back-to-back performances in Washington, plus tours in Europe and South Africa.

It will be Gripper’s first Australian tour since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gripper has gained international acclaim for his groundbreaking work in transcribing and recording some of the most intricate compositions of the kora, a 21-stringed West African harp, onto acoustic guitar.

His groundbreaking technique of translating these sounds offer music lovers a unique immersive musical exploration that bridges continents and genres.

“Returning to Australia is a special moment for me, marking my first tour here since the pandemic,” Gripper said.

“The Music from the Strings of Mali tour is a celebration of the rich African repertoire that I’ve been honored to bring to the classical guitar.

“I look forward to sharing the magic and cultural diversity of this music with Australian audiences.”

Gripper’s journey began with the release of his first album, One Night on Earth, his initial venture into kora translations.

The album drew praise from celebrated Australia classical guitarist John Williams, who proclaimed it “absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it”, while kora maestro Toumani Diabaté asked for confirmation that it was indeed just one person playing.

Both later invited Gripper to collaborate with them – he performed with Williams in London’s Shakespeare’s Globe and King’s Place, and with Diabaté and his Symmetric Orchestra at the Acoustik Festival Bamako in Mali.

Derek Gripper will play Music from the Strings of Mali at Geelong West Town Hall on Monday, January 22 from 7pm.

For more information or for tickets, head to concertsaustralia.com/derek-geelong