Sona Jobarteh is a unique and pioneering musical icon whose renown has been rapidly flourishing globally. Born into a Griot family from the Gambia — a tradition that dates back seven centuries — she is the first female within this tradition to become a professional virtuoso on the Kora. Her music is uniquely poised between the preservation of her rich cultural heritage and an accessible, modern style that relates to audiences from all over the world.

Sona is reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, her distinctive voice, infectious melodies and her grace onstage. Her lineage carries a formidable reputation for renowned Kora masters, most notable amongst these are her grandfather Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and her cousin, the legendary Toumani Diabaté. At the heart of her success as an artist is her dedication to humanitarian activism in the areas of social development and educational reform — she is the Founding Director of The Gambia Academy, an institution dedicated to educational reform for Africans on the continent of Africa.