Sona Jobarteh

Sona Jobarteh is a trailblazing kora player and singer whose performance at Strathmore celebrates the West African griot tradition. Known as the first professional female kora player—the kora being a 21-stringed African harp—Jobarteh is described as a living archive of the Gambian people, using her music to honor history while pushing the tradition forward. Her latest album, *Badinyaa Kumoo*, blends traditional sounds with Afropop and blues, and she has performed for sold-out crowds at major venues worldwide, including the Hollywood Bowl, New York’s Symphony Space, London’s Barbican, and Cologne’s Philharmonie. Her Strathmore concert is part of the venue’s Windows series, with a special pre- and post-concert marketplace event in the lobby.

When: Friday, March 26, 2027, at 8pm.

Venue: Strathmore Music Center.

Tickets: $28–$68. Community access tickets under $30 are available for Strathmore Presents programs, with a request form and advance notice required.

Pre- and Post-Concert Event: The Calabash Arts Market will fill Strathmore’s lobby with a vibrant and eclectic marketplace before and after the performance.

Series: This performance is part of Strathmore’s Windows series of performances and accompanying programs.

Dining: À la carte dining is available at Allegro Kitchen, and a multi-course buffet with reserved seating is offered at the Prelude Buffet for most shows, with advanced reservations encouraged. Bars open before each concert and during intermission; outside food and beverages are not permitted.

Accessibility: Accessibility information is available on Strathmore’s Accessibility page.

Security: All guests must pass through security screening before entering the Concert Hall lobbies.

Ticket Policy: Strathmore Presents performances have a generous ticket exchange policy; requests for credit or exchange must be made at least 48 hours before the performance, and refunds are available if a show is cancelled or rescheduled.