Lansana Camara

Lansana Camara, or ‘Sana‘, is from Guinea, West Africa. He comes from a long line of musicians as part of the Griot or Jali system within the Susu and Malinke culture.

Sana is a multi instrumentalist performing with great skill on the kora, djembe, doundouns and balafon. The kora is a 21 stringed African harp that he plays with great dexterity and a beautiful touch. His voice, while soft and enigmatic, holds the listener in a warm embrace.

The kora is built from a gourd, cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator with a long hardwood neck. The skin is supported by two handles that run underneath it. It has 21 strings, each of which plays a different note. These strings are supported by a notched, double free-standing bridge. The sound of a kora resembles that of a harp, though when played in the traditional style it bears resemblance to a guitar played using the flamenco or Delta blues technique.

Sana can perform solo or is accompanied by Elliott Orr (aka Splash Gourdon) on the calabash gourd. This instrument, also from West Africa, can be played dry, or, when floating on water it delivers a strong acoustic bass note to support the melody of the kora.