Suntou Susso and the Gambian Superstars
presented by From The Whitehouse
Songlines Encounters Series
| Suntou Susso | kora and vocal |
|---|---|
| Alasana Faal | bass guitar |
| Sheikh Juke Tijan | drums |
| Alhagie Leigh | keys |
| Mustapha Ceesay | percussion |
| Ansumana Suso | balafon and guitar |
| Ida Cham | backing vocals |
Kora master Suntou Susso is joined by his all-Gambian ensemble, the Gambian Superstars, for their debut UK performance, blending kora, balafon, percussion, drums, bass, keys and saxophone. Rooted in a 700-year-old griot tradition, their electrifying sound fuses Mandinka heritage with funk and jazz, creating a joyful, high-energy celebration of West African music.
Internationally renowned kora master Suntou Susso brings his extraordinary ensemble, the Gambian Superstars, to Kings Place for their first UK appearance. Born into a 700-year-old griot lineage in The Gambia, Suntou is both a guardian of Mandinka musical heritage and a compelling contemporary performer whose artistry bridges tradition and innovation.
For this special tour, Suntou is joined by his all-Gambian band alongside UK-based saxophonist Tomoya Forster. The eight-piece ensemble weaves together kora, balafon, electric bass, keyboards, drums, percussion and saxophone, creating a richly layered Afro-Manding sound shaped by musicians steeped in this tradition since childhood.
Their music moves from intricate kora-led melodies and hypnotic balafon patterns to deep rhythmic grooves and exuberant ensemble passages, blending West African folk roots with elements of funk and jazz. The result is a vibrant, immersive performance that is at once deeply traditional and thrillingly contemporary.
Touring his acclaimed album Jaliya Silokang: The Path of a Griot, Suntou celebrates the enduring role of the griot as storyteller, historian and cultural guide in today’s world. This rare gathering of master musicians offers audiences an unforgettable encounter with the living energy, virtuosity and communal spirit of Mandinka music.
This event will last approximately 1.5 hours with an interval.
Concessions & Under 30s tickets
Kings Place Concessions Tickets
We want to ensure that people who may be struggling financially to purchase a ticket can still enjoy visiting Kings Place. A limited number of tickets are allocated for certain events (if the ticket type does not show in the booking pathway, it means they are not available for this event or have all been sold). Concessions tickets are accessible for people on the following criteria (for more information visit our FAQs)
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Disability Benefit
- Income Support or Job Seekers allowance
- Students
£10 ‘Under 30s’ tickets
A limited number of £10 tickets for attendees aged under 30 are available for certain shows. To purchase an ‘Under 30s’ ticket, please choose the ‘Under 30s’ price type when selecting your ticket(s). If the option does not appear, this means all ‘Under 30s’ tickets have sold out or are not available for this performance. Please note that proof of age may be requested at the venue. The £10 offer does not apply to premium price categories.
Plan your visit
Getting here
Kings Place is situated just a few minutes’ walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras stations, one of the most connected locations in London and now the biggest transport hub in Europe.
Our address is:
90 York Way, London, N1 9AG.
The Venue
Our performance spaces are situated on the lower ground floor. Hall One, Hall Two and St Pancras are located in level -2, reached by stairs, escalator and lift from the ground floor entrance level.
Event Times
Door times indicate auditorium entrance times only. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Kings Place seating areas, gallery-level art, canal-side terrace, café, restaurant and bar throughout the day and evening.
- Our events begin promptly at the advertised start time. Typically, there is no support unless otherwise stated.
- We recommend arriving in good time before the performance. The Hall doors will open 30 minutes before the performance to allow time to take your seats, or to choose a space for standing shows.
- Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance where possible
Access
We aim to make your visit to Kings Place as comfortable as possible. For more information about the accessibility of Kings Place, including details about our Access Scheme, please visit this page.
If you would like to discuss your access requirements with a member of our team, please get in touch with the Box Office team at info@kingsplace.co.uk.
Food & Drink
Rotunda Bar & Restaurant
Rotunda, situated on the ground floor of Kings Place, offers a unique dining and drinking experience alongside Regent’s Canal. The concert bar in the venue foyer will also be open for select events.
Green & Fortune Café
Recently re-furbished and now open with a new look, the Green & Fortune Café is open for selected concerts. Serving hot and cold food and drinks, including sandwiches, salads, soup, stew and a pie of the day, alongside a choice of cakes made by the on-site bakery team. See here for selected concert dates and standard opening hours.
About Suntou Susso
Suntou Susso is an internationally respected kora player, singer and percussionist from The Gambia, born into a distinguished griot family whose musical lineage spans over seven centuries. A master of the 22-string kora, he blends Mandinka tradition with contemporary global influences, captivating audiences with his virtuosity and expressive storytelling. Now based in the UK, he has performed at major festivals including WOMAD and Glastonbury.
Led by Suntou Susso, the Gambian Superstars are an all-Gambian ensemble of master musicians. They bring together kora, balafon, percussion, drums, bass and keys in a vibrant Afro-Manding sound rooted in lifelong tradition and collective musical fluency.
Reviews
‘A burgeoning start and virtuoso of the Griot form and the kora.’ Monolith Cocktail
‘Suntou Susso places tradition at the centre and invites everything else to move in time with it.’ The Jazz Word
‘Combines the rich, traditional sound of his West-African Mandinka culture with Afro-funk and soul’ – ★★★★ Songlines
‘Suntou wove song and story that sounded like velvet as it wafted over the audience’ Allen Valley Festival