Search - Ablaye Cissoko, Volker Goetze :: Sira

Recorded on location in Senegal, the album Sira is a journey into a world of intimate lyricism and the result of the profound musical relationship between Senegalese mastersinger and kora player Ablaye Cissoko and German trumpet player Volker Goetze. Sira--which translates to mermaid and is the name of Cissoko's youngest daughter--is a demonstration of single-mindedness among two artists and a statement of respect between world-class musicians. Ablaye Cissoko, who comes from a centuries-long line of griots, or storytellers, is a master of intricate, lyrical string work and a vocalist whose deep emotionalism is conveyed in each line he sings. Volker Goetze is an accomplished trumpeter who has collaborated with some of the most important figures in contemporary jazz. Both are composers with an ear toward the future as well as the past. Cissoko and Goetze realized that their partnership would have even greater cultural significance if their creative alliance could benefit the children of Africa. The artists are donating 10 percent of their profits from Sira to Tostan, an organization whose mission is to empower African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights.