Derek Gripper

A deeply sensitive and truly virtuosic performer, South African guitarist Derek Gripper renders the great kora works of Malian masters Toumani Diabaté, Ballaké Sissoko, and others for classical guitar. Transcribing the works originally written for the 21-string kora (harp lute) for a six-string classical guitar, Gripper magically transforms an ambitious technical feat into atmospheric works of “depthless beauty” (Songlines).