Jaliyaa Kumbengo – West African Griot Exchange Comes to Manchester

This Friday, Drumroots is proud to host Jaliyaa Kumbengo, a special evening of live music, cultural exchange and workshops as part of a West African griot exchange in Manchester.

Taking place at the The Klondyke Club on Friday 22 May 2026, this West African griot exchange Manchester event brings together leading artists from The Gambia and the UK in a night of music, storytelling and collaboration.

Led by Gambian kora player and cultural practitioner Sefo Kanuteh alongside acclaimed vocalist Binta Suso and The Meriya Band, the evening combines participatory workshops, storytelling, photography, dance and powerful live performance.

Tanante have worked with Sefo before and genuinely think he’s an amazing artist and person. His depth of knowledge, musicianship and warm approach to sharing culture make every collaboration feel special, and we’d love to work with him more in the future.

Our performance group Tanante will be performing as the support act for this West African griot exchange Manchester alongside our Guinean master drummer Iya Sako and Gambian dancer Jokeh Sillah. We’ve been rehearsing especially for this performance and are really looking forward to dancing to Sefo’s group live in Manchester.

What to Expect at Jaliyaa Kumbengo: West African Griot Exchange Manchester

The evening runs from 5:30pm until 11pm and includes:

a participatory kora and music workshop
opportunities for cultural exchange and discussion
a pop-up photography exhibition exploring Sefo’s griot lineage and artistic journey
live West African music and dance performances

The workshop is open to everybody, whether you are a musician or completely new to West African music. Koras will be provided, but people are also welcome to bring instruments or simply join in vocally.

The night finishes with a live performance blending traditional Mandinka repertoire with contemporary arrangements — full of kora, percussion, voice and dance.

As a group deeply connected to West African drumming, dance and cultural education through Drumroots, these are exactly the kinds of events we love to be involved in: genuine cultural exchange, collaboration and community through music.