2019 Hollywood Bowl. Sona Jobarteh
Biography
The Gambia Academy
The Gambia Academy
Headliner at major festivals around the world, her US tours included shows at the renowned Hollywood Bowl and Symphony Space in New York City .
The Gambia Academy
The Gambia Academy
The Gambia Academy
Sona Jobarteh's pioneering academy that she founded and runs in The Gambia demonstrates the need for educational reform for young Africans.
Composer
The Gambia Academy
Composer
Sona wrote her first film score in 2010. More recently, the BBC aired a piece incorporating both western classical and African instruments.
Lecturer
Public Speaker/Activist
Composer
Sona Jobarteh conducts lectures, presentations and holds residencies in Universities and institutions around the world, specialising in the area of the Griot tradition and its relationship to contemporary society.
Public Speaker/Activist
Public Speaker/Activist
Public Speaker/Activist
Sona Jobarteh delivers speeches in the areas of educational reform, gender and entrepreneurship in Africa at high profile events around the world including summits for the UN and the World Trade Organization.
Best Album 2022 voted by Songlines
I am so delighted that Badinyaa Kumoo was voted one of the best albums of 2022 by the Songlines editors. It will be featured in the next issue of Songlines, January/February 2023 (#184), on sale from December 16.
Sona featured on 60 Minutes
Drawing on an extensive 4-hour interview with Lesley Stahl in New York, this renowned US news program showcases the unique life of Sona Jobarteh, her musicianship, and her academy in The Gambia. Their award-winning news team also filmed Sona during her 2022 US tour, at university lectures and in The Gambia. Watch live on CBS on Sunday 13th November at 7pm EST. (or YouTube soon after).
Sona Jobarteh commissioned to write song for latest Hollywood Idris Elba movie: Beast
Director Baltasar Kormakur brought on board the expertise of Sona Jobarteh to write an iconic song for his latest Hollywood film Beast, starring Idris Elba. The song titled N'na Duniyaa (Our World) is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Songlines Magazine 5 Star Album Review
Sona Jobarteh's latest album Badinyaa Kumoo was awarded 5 stars in Songlines December 2022 Issue, and a Top of the World pick.
Guardian Newspaper Feature Article
Guardian journalist Robin Denselow writes an in-depth feature articel on Sona Jobarteh, her work, her ambitions and her academy. Read the full article:
Cover of Songlines Magazine
Songlines Magazine features Sona Jobarteh, with s a feature-length article outlining her work as an international artist, her academy in the Gambia and her forthcoming new album.
Endorsement From Takamine Guitars
We are very happy to announce Sona's recent endorsement from Takamine Guitars. Sona has played their guitars for the last four years all over the world and their instruments are a perfect match for her music and her sound. Learn more about Takamine Guitars and Sona's endorsement.
SONA JOBARTEH US TOUR 2023
March
21 Madison WI TBA
24 Savannah GA Savannah Music Fest Georgia
25 Los Angeles TBA
26 San Francisco Brava Theater
30 Portland TBA
31 Mount Vernon WA Skagit Valley College
April
02 Knoxville Big Ears Festival
20 Ottawa Ottawa NAC
21 Burlington, VT UVM Lane Series
22 Boston, MA Boston Crystal Ballroom
26 TBA TBA
27 Baton Rouge, LA Manship Theatre
28 Lafayette International Festival
29 Lafayette International Festival
30 TBA
AVAILABLE NOW: THE NEW ALBUM
SONA JOBARTEH BADINYAA KUMOO