It has become a tradition over the years; the Night of the Kora is a must-see on my summer schedule. And this year was special because I knew I would be seeing Senny Camara again, who had performed at Club Balattou in February as part of a duo with the grand master of the kora, Zal Sissokho.
With an opening act featuring Yamoussa Bangoura—a multidisciplinary artist and founder of Productions Kalabanté—he set the stage perfectly for what was to come. Starting with an entirely instrumental piece, the following songs were accompanied by vocals—sometimes very soft, sometimes very rhythmic, and a mix of both.
Most of the pieces were taken from their two shows, “Afrique en cirque” and “Won’Ma Africa,” which they have performed in the United States and elsewhere. They are also preparing a show as part of the 40th edition of the Nuits d’Afrique International Festival with the entire troupe on July 14. Yamoussa also shared his very first original composition on the kora with us, before taking us on a journey to New Zealand, a country he is particularly fond of.
But it was during his song for Karim—one of his acrobat brothers who has been paralyzed for two years following a mosquito bite—that the audience got goosebumps. We were treated to an acrobatic performance by three members of the Kalabanté troupe before the intermission, which announced Senny Camara as the second-half act.
She took the stage wearing a colourful basin-print boubou, like a queen taking her seat on her throne. Although she had just landed in Montreal a few hours before the show, she treated us to a performance worthy of the name, playing several tracks from her 2024 album Yéné, as well as songs from Boolo—which means “Unity” in Wolof—released in 2020.
“Before going on stage, I broke a string on my kora. It’s being a bit temperamental today, so we’ll have to be patient with it,” she told us while tuning her instrument between songs.
Just as she did at her concert in February, the artist draws inspiration from humanity, wondering why we hurt one another if people are the cure for one another. This is the theme she explores in the song “Niit,” before inviting Zal Sissokho on stage for a song—the surprise of the evening.
“It’s thanks to him that I’m here tonight,” she tells us, referring to the man she considers her mentor and for whom she has great respect.
The concert concluded with Yamoussa and Senny on stage, taking us on a journey between Senegal and Guinea, with moments of improvisation and connection just the way we like them. Despite suffering from jet lag, Senny Camara rose to the challenge brilliantly: he treated us to a “Night of the Kora” filled with sensitivity and humility.
