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Malo Sonko

Malo Sonko grew up in Abene in a family of musicians of the Mandinka ethnic group. He started performing with various bands from the age of 10, playing the seourouba and the djembe as well as the bougarabou and the dun dun. He has also taken up playing the balafon.

In 1992 Malo founded the troup Ballet Theatre Bitinibaa composed of six percussionists and six dancers, with whom he has performed throughout Senegal and Gambia. Malo was invited to teach and perform in Germany in 1993 and 1996, and in London during Spring 2000.

Malo Sonko has been teaching children and teenagers in his village school for 20 years to inspire them to preserve and continue the Mandingue tradition and to respect the ancestral heritage of music and dance. Since he relocated to London in 2000, Malo has handed over this responsibility to his brother Apai. However each winter he goes back to Abene to rehearse with new group Dimbaya and further their education, as well as teach foreign students.

In London, Malo contributes to promote rhythms and dances inspired by traditional rites from Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Senegal. He does so by hosting regular workshops, corporate facilitating and performing with different pan-African groups in various venues and festivals in the UK.

From a newcomer in London, Malo has quickly become one of the most popular teachers and performers of West African music and percussions in London and its whereabouts.

Malo founded his group Sabari in 2000 with professional musicians and dancers coming from different horizons, all offering an outstanding performance drawing on traditional rhythms, songs and dances from West Africa.

His constant smile and generous attitude will make you forget the stress of Western life. Malo delivers accurate teaching, which he draws from extensive experience with both adults and children and creates a relaxed atmosphere. The rhythms and songs he plays and teaches will make you want not only to move your hands on the djembe but to get up and dance!