Tales from the Green Valley

Preserving and perpetuating traditions... Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, is keen to preserve- and perpetuate- traditions. He was just 12 when he joined his father's group Egypt 80. Since Fela's death in 1997, Seun has kept the flame of this militant and musical heritage alive by putting it in today's context.

Leave the dancers, lasers and other confections at home. In Kiev in 2017, Salvador Sobral won Eurovision with an appearance that was as wonderful as it was small-scale, where the Portuguese pianist and singer sang ‘Amar Pelos Dois’, a delicately nuanced ballad.

They've known each other for over 20 years and have been making music together for around 15. Nils Wülker and Arne Jansen are constantly reinventing the space in which their musical ideas flourish.

Double bassist, singer, composer and arranger Avishai Cohen is renowned for his virtuoso playing and emotional live performances. And he's unrivalled at finding the musicians who have the potential to take over from the jazz greats.

Cécile McLorin Salvant has been described as ‘the heiress of Billie Holiday’. When she sings, it's as if time and space disappear, with a modern-day voice reviving the soul of ‘Lady Day’. Winning award after award, this Franco-American singer is now one of the leading figures in jazz today.

In 2018, Salif Keïta announced his intention to end his career. To the delight of his fans, he reversed his decision. Now 70 years old, the Malian musician continues to perform on stages around the world. For more than 50 years, the Malian musician has made openness to cultures from other countries and continents his unwavering credo. As the years go by, this apostle of musical fusion has lost none of his curiosity or creativity. Salif Keïta continues to celebrate the marriage of West African traditions with elements borrowed from rock, funk, and jazz. A true living icon, the "golden voice of Africa" is also one of the most charismatic ambassadors of music from the African continent.