by Jon Bauer
Cyrille Brotto is a French accordionist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Ablaye Cissoko is a Senegalese kora master who has found success as a soloist and as a collaborator in Europe, Russia, and Canada. Each are virtuosos in their respective areas. But together, as a duo, true magic was created at The Freight last night.
The story of how they got together is an interesting one. Brotto’s wife was a big fan of Cissoko. Brotto reached out to Cissoko’s agent to see if he could persuade him to come play for his wife’s birthday. Cissoko agreed to come to France to play for her. When they got together, they jammed for an entire weekend and realized that 1+1 does not equal 2. That’s where their collaboration began.
The performance showcased their amazing talents, both separately and together, as well as offering some sweet moments. Cissoko asked for a French speaking audience member to join them on stage where he asked fan Bernard to share some of his philosophies. Cissoko talked about the best way to move through life – discussing how important it is for us to slow down, listen, remain calm, and encourage love and understanding. Another moment that I found particularly touching was a short poem before a “song about oppression” where Cissoko said “You can stop me from speaking. You can stop me from walking. You cannot stop me from smiling.”
For several songs, Cissoko added his singing with rich tones and angel like qualities. Though he sang in a foreign language, the audience clearly understood his message of shared humanity in these fraught times.
I’ve never seen a kora before. Cissoko’s is a 27 stringed gourd, covered with cow skin, with a long hardwood neck. There’s no fret, so each pluck of a string will provide one note. In between songs, Cissoko would tune the instrument by adjusting the leather rope that holds the strings as he stated that the instrument does not like the cold nor does it like the warmth. Watching him play this instrument, his mastery is evident.
Brotto is also a clear master of the accordion. Sometimes providing support for Cissoko’s intricate melodies, and sometimes Brotto took the stage with short solos that are then supported by Cissoko’s playing. As the focus moved back and forth, it was fun to watch them smile at each other, as they are definitely having a blast together on stage. They’ve got a unique and modern sound that blends their different musical cultures and shows off their artistry.
Brotto & Cissoko have released two albums together and are in the middle of a sweeping tour in the US, Canada, and Europe. Hope you get to see them if they come to a town near you.
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