In memory of the great GRIOT brothers from Casamance Senegal:

JALI KEMO CISSOKHO, JALI KEBA CISSOKHO, PA MESSIN CISSOKHO
JALI MORY CISSOKHO, JALI BAMBA CISSOKHO, JALI FILYJE CISSOKHO
(after whom JALI FILY was named)

The last of JALI FILY CISSOKHO's elders passed away in Ziguinchor Senegal on December 13th 2009.
Uncle JALI KEBA CISSOKHO was the last of the great GRIOT in Jali Fily's immediate family.

Jali Fily lost his father JALI KEMO CISSOKHO in the previous year and before him his uncle PA MESSIN CISSOKHO.
They were all renowned kora players from whom he and his older brother SOLO CISSOKHO gained their technique and inspiration. Now they are gone they have taken a part of history with them and it is left to Jali Fily and his brothers and sisters to try and maintain this oral tradition.

In the competitive area of 'WORLD MUSIC' who will support these 20th century GRIOTS?

Jali Fily has been in Senegal recently, gathering more inspiration from his mother's repertoire of songs to bring back and preserve on a new CD. (Money must be made somehow or he may face the prospect of laying aside his kora for menial work to survive in the UK).

Many thanks to all who have supported him so far.

Christine Lord (Manager to Jali Fily Cissokho).