Taj Mahal is a towering musical figure — a legend who transcended the blues not by leaving them behind, but by revealing their magnificent scope to the world. Quantifying the 77-year-old’s significance is impossible, but people try anyway. A 2017 Grammy win for TajMo, Taj’s collaboration with Keb’ Mo’, brought his Grammy tally to three wins and 14 nominations, and underscored his undiminished relevance more than 50 years after his solo debut. Blues Hall of Fame membership, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Music Association, and other honors punctuate his résumé. Taj appreciates the accolades, but his motivation lies elsewhere. “I just want to be able to make the music that I’m hearing come to me — and that’s what I did,” Taj says. “When I say, ‘I did,’ I’m not coming from the ego. The music comes from somewhere. You’re just the conduit it comes through. You’re there to receive the gift.”
Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to come from any of the West African dynasties. Her lineage carries a formidable reputation of renowned Kora masters — most notable are her grandfather Amu Bansang Jobarteh and her cousin, the legendary Toumani Diabate. Sona is reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, distinctive voice, infectious melodies, and her grace onstage, and she has rapidly achieved international success as a top-class.
