Momi Maiga

There are instruments that, based on their appearance alone, make you wonder what they might sound like. The West African kora, along with the balafon and the Indian sitar, definitely belongs in this category. The way Momi Maiga plays this archaic-looking bridge harp is nothing short of astonishing.

The young musician, composer and singer from Senegal pursues a very individual approach. The 27-year-old focuses on soft, restrained tones. Momi Maiga embeds his almost tender-sounding performance in an unusual soundscape featuring violin, cello and subtle drums. Tradition and innovation find a happy union here. It's worth listening closely, otherwise you might miss one or two fascinating nuances in the sound.