Kora Player in New York City | Kane Mathis

Kora Player, New York City

Kane Mathis performs on the 21-string kora — the West African harp-lute at the center of centuries of Mandinka storytelling tradition. Trained for [X years — fill in] under master musicians in The Gambia, he brings that lineage to New York City stages, recordings, and collaborations.

Rooted in tradition, shaped by experience

The kora isn't a novelty instrument here, it's a discipline passed teacher to student across generations. Kane studied under Malamini Jobarteh in Brikama, Gambia, learning the instrument the way it's historically been taught, before bringing it into conversation with jazz, classical music, and his own compositions.

His kora work has been praised by Songlines, Afropop Worldwide, and the New York Times gaining recognition for treating the instrument's tradition seriously while pushing where it can go.

Available for:

• Live performances — solo kora sets / with ensemble
• Studio recording and session work
• Private and group kora lessons in NYC
• Collaborations and commissions