Mbye Ebrima, kora player, composer, singer, and oral storyteller, was born in Gambia into a family of djeli, kora players, and renowned connoisseurs and disseminators of Mandinka-Kaabunké oral history for many generations. He has traveled to several European countries, and now, for the first time, he arrives on Portugal’s highest mountain island to share his stories and West Africa’s most important musical instrument at the Cordas Festival in Madalena do Pico.

Through the film made with Timothy Lima, “Jaliya,” and his live recital, Mbye is the first musician on the afternoon of Sunday, October 5, which promises to be filled with sharing, at the Madalena Auditorium. The journey through the world of violas is fueled by Ricardo Fonseca and the Amarantina and Beiroa violas. The following day, the Viola da Terra returns in the hands of Evandro Meneses, and on Wednesday, the 8th, Pedro Mestre takes the stage with the Campaniça guitar.

On the holiday, October 5, there will be even more violas and other traditional instruments, with a circle open to the general public to share their instrument and original or favorite music. This special moment, led by local musicians Mónica Goulart and Orlando Martins, will take place at the Madalena Library at 6 p.m.

Another unique instrument returning to the festival is the Timple from the Canary Islands, played by Beselch Rodriguez, accompanied by Carlos Martin. This performance is scheduled for the evening of Monday, October 6, following an afternoon featuring João Diogo Leitão’s Braguesa guitar.

“The Cordas Festival has to be experienced in person,” admits artistic director Terry Costa. “It’s difficult to share everything that happens in words, because there are many moments that only those who hear and witness can understand. There is no shortage of programming to celebrate the ten years of the world music festival, day and night.”

For more information, visit festivalcordas.com and the image diaries presented on social media and RTP Açores.

From MiratecArts Press Release

We thank the Luso-American Education Foundation for its support