Youssoupha Sidibe is a Grammy-nominated Senegalese West African kora (African harp) player. Over the course of 25 years, he has developed thousands of fans all over the world and has performed and recorded with many exceptional musicians.
Grammy-nominated for his collaboration with Matisyahu (Youth), Youssoupha has released albums with Charles Neville (Tree of Life), Midnite (For All), Steve Kimock, a duet with Michael Franti (What I Be), and has collaborated live with India Arie, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Michael Kang of String Cheese Incident, Chris Berry Trio, Shimshai, and many more.
Youssoupha has performed at some of the most famous festivals and venues in the world, including The Hammerstein Ballroom NYC, The Warfield Theatre SF CA, The African Festival of the Arts Chicago, Reggae Rising, Reggae on the River CA, Stanford University, Salmon Arm Roots, and Blues British Columbia.
Youssoupha Sidibe recorded with Matisyahu on his album “Youth” which Youssoupha received a Gold record for as well as a Grammy Nomination.
“Yousoupha is great. I have performed with him many times — almost always without any rehearsal or even speaking much — and we find ourselves on stage together sharing very deep and moving musical improvisations. His melodies are beautiful, his rhythm is engaging, and he is a spiritual man transmitting roots music. I am a fan of Yousoupha and his music.”
– MATISYAHU – Multi-Platinum Selling, Grammy Nominated Musician
“The rippling, and at times percussive, arrangements with the kora are like rocks in a stream, with Neville’s fluid and melodic saxophone like water flowing over and around the rocks. The music is meant to be a healing force that binds the past with the present. “
– Beth Peerless – The Monterey County Herald
“Grammy-winning, jazzy Neville Brother lends his restrained, sultry sax lines to Youssoupha Sidibe’s sparkling, reggae-inflected African harp, the latest in the Senegalese virtuoso’s collaborations with Western artists, including Matisyahu, Michael Franti, Bela Fleck, India Arie and more.”
– Brett Campbell – Willamete Week
2017 Convergence Performance: Friday, Oct 6th | 9:00 – 10:00 PM | Main Stage
