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Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper - Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute, Evanston, IL on January 28 and 29 – Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute

Wed Jan 28, 2026 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
$39.00 $2.95

$34.50 $2.95

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Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper - Nichols Concert Hall, Music Institute, Evanston, IL on January 28 and 29 image

world class music live presents the Chicagoland return of the incomparable Ballaké Sissoko (Mali) & Derek Gripper (South Africa)!

Ballaké Sissoko is the greatest kora virtuoso in the world. Derek Gripper is changing the face of classical guitar and charting its very first African repertoire. When they play together, you won't believe your ears.

Wednesday 28 January: SHOWTIME is 8PM (doors at 7PM)

Thursday 29 January: SHOWTIME is 8PM (doors at 7PM)

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Ballaké Sissoko is a seminal improviser with an ability to unlock every possible nuance on the kora with subtleties rarely heard on any instrument - let alone the kora which is over 700 years old.

Derek Gripper's love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of the greatest works of the instrument, changing the face of classical guitar and giving the instrument its very first African repertoire.

Derek and Ballake first met in 2022 in Paris, to perform a unique show together of completely improvised music. They returned to the stage in London a month later, and then to the recording studio for a full-length album.

Their performances and recordings are all achieved without any verbal communication, just a mutual love of their shared repertoire and the possibilities of the plucked string.


https://www.ballakesissoko.com/en/

https://www.derekgripper.com/