I’m so delighted to let you all know that the first of two records with @alamsarode is out and ITS BANDCAMP FRIDAY (link in bio) … Alam is one of the best musicians I have had the pleasure of working with. This record was even made by mistake (we thought we were shooting some promo videos). The first record we made, also almost by mistake, with another wonderful musician, @guybuttery , will be out in time for some January US dates as a trio. But for now this small offering, a taster and a promise of things to come. Big gratitude to Alam for breathing new life into these compositions, works by myself as well as Toumani Diabate and Salif Keita. Our tour starts in two weeks time (there will be a million live albums so grab this before the storm hits). Cover image by me (Nepal) with design and editing of the image by Dave Southwood @crockette1 (a longtime photography hero of mine). Mixed at my analogue sofa (through a 1.4 meter plate reverb built by Tully the legend), and mastered by Dave Langeman. Go get it.
In preparation for our west coast and Colorado dates in May… Another video from the Berkeley session filmed by @stian.world and @kevinsheaadams , edited by @julianredpath audio by myself and playing by @alamsarode and I this last February… the composition is dedicated to @francesca.albanese.unsr.opt the bravest of the many brave people trying to make a difference in the horror that is international law in 2026. #sarod #classicalguitar #acousticmusic FULL VIDEO ON YT LINK IN BIO
Derek Gripper & Ballaké Sissoko close their 20-date North American tour at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, every note fully improvised!!
Rooted in the traditions of the West African kora, their sound builds from the smallest fragments into expansive, living compositions.
Visit the Chan Centre’s YouTube Channel to see more of this amazing improvisatory show.
Filmed by Collide Entertainment
Director & Editor - Mike Southworth
Producer - Joanna Dundas
Cameras - Barry Ambrosio, Daniel Byrne & Brandon Fletcher
Audio Recording by James Perrella
Audio Mastered by Derek Gripper
#BallakeSissoko #DerekGripper #WorldMusic #ImprovisedMusic #Kora
@therealsalifkeita - your song Folon played on sarod and guitar :) @alamsarode and I recently made this video in berkeley and delighted to finally share it with you all. Recorded by me, mixed in my analogue sofa studio with a real plate reverb by Tully, mastered by the wonderful Dave Langeman and video by @stian.world and @kevinsheaadams and edited by @julianredpath … west coast tour dates for May link in bio … #sarod #classicalguitar #westafrica #africanguitar
Full version on the tube… This version of Tutu Jara was recorded by the great Malian kora duo of Ballaké Sissoko and Toumani Diabate in their seminal album “New Ancient Strings.”
Alam Khan, son of the great Ali Akbar Khan, joins Derek Gripper, well-known by now for his “impossible” translations of kora music onto classical guitar, in a version of this griot staple for sarode and guitar.
Filmed in Berkeley California by Stian Rasmussen, recorded and mixed by Derek Gripper, edited by Julian Redpath, with colour grading by Robyn Nesbitt.
Composition trad. arr. and improvisation. #kora #sarode #aliakbarkhan #indianclassical #classicalguitar. Video by @stian.world and edited by @julianredpath
Had a delightful morning stress testing my live sound at Golden Circle in Woodstock Cape Town… with the kind assistance of Ian Watson-Moore… we tried out all the combinations I have been experimenting with and decided on a completely analogue chain of @rupert_neve preamps, eqs and tape emulation with the fabulous @echofixaustralia tape delay. The signal was fed by @schoepsmikrofone mic (MK22) and @schertleraudio contact mic which I always try to replace with “real” mics and then you plug it in and sound engineers start smiling and there’s no going back….adds a great direct warmth which no piezo could come close to… Norman joined, seen here not giving a fuck if I use digital reverb or not (we didn’t)…. #livesound #analoguesoundsystem #classicalguitaramplification #tapedelay
A selection of photos from @kirstenboschsummerconcerts by Ivan Hendriks. I shared the bill with the wonderful Kyle Shepherd Trio (Kyle Sheperha and @shanecoopersounds and @jonno_sweetman ). The photos behind me are scans of negatives I shot on tour and at home, including Kamala Harris spotted in Harlem. Processed by Beneway.
