Derek Gripper is South Africa’s leading guitarist, whose love of the West African kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works, changing the face of classical guitar and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire. He has collaborated with legendary West African composers and performers including kora masters Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko, as well as Desert Blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré (father of Vieux Farka Touré). Gripper’s transformative journey began with his album One Night on Earth: Music From the Strings of Mali, showcasing his ability to translate the sound of the kora to guitar, earning praise from guitarist John Williams who noted “It seemed absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it.” Gripper has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy Awards.

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