Derek Gripper in concert
at Club Balatou

An evening where classical guitar meets the legend of the kora

By Andrew Burlone

April 21, 2029

Productions Nuits d’Afrique invites you to an unforgettable evening with Derek Gripper, performing live at Club Balattou in Montreal on Friday, April 25 at 9 pm., as part of the Cabaret acoustique Nuits d’Afrique. This highly anticipated concert follows his standout performances at previous editions of the Nuits d’Afrique Festival. Returning from Cape Town, Derek Gripper brings his artistry back to Montreal for an intimate concert where the soulful rhythms of West Africa intertwine with the elegance of classical guitar, all brought to life by a musician whose playing balances dazzling skill with heartfelt emotion.

You can listen to the soundtracks at the end of the article.

For this intimate concert, Derek Gripper brings his singular artistry to the stage, blending the rich tradition of West African kora with the expressive depth of classical guitar. His music promises a journey where virtuosity meets emotion, and each note pays tribute to the vibrant heritage of Manding music. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the magic of a musician who bridges continents and traditions, all in the legendary warmth of Club Balattou.

My white twin!” exclaimed the kora legend, Toumani Diabaté, upon hearing the transposition by Derek Gripper of his pieces on classical guitar.

Derek Gripper set out on a truly unique musical adventure: to make his six-string guitar sing like a kora, that majestic West African harp with twenty-one strings, whose harmonies drift somewhere between tradition and mystery. Through deep listening, patience, and a bold creative spirit, he managed to capture the intricate patterns, rhythmic depth, and poetry of the kora, reinventing them under his own fingers. His guitar becomes a stage for an unexpected dialogue, where every note echoes West Africa while opening up new horizons for classical music.

With rare humility and a deep respect for tradition, Derek Gripper accomplished what many thought impossible: bringing to life on a six-string guitar all the richness and subtlety of the kora. His playing, both precise and deeply felt, is a striking tribute to the heritage of Manding music, reimagining its motifs without ever betraying their spirit.

Derek Gripper

Derek Gripper • Image: Dimitri Otis

Born in Cape Town in 1977, Derek Gripper has established himself as one of the rare musicians able to create a true dialogue between classical guitar and African traditions, with remarkable finesse. His journey began with a fascination for the kora, the 21-string harp-lute of West Africa, inspiring him to transcribe some of its most iconic works for guitar. But this was never just about technical mastery—Derek reimagines the guitar itself, transforming it into a bridge between worlds, between written and oral traditions, between Europe and Africa.

When he released “One Night on Earth,” his tribute album to Malian kora master Toumani Diabaté, the music world was stunned. Classical guitar legend John Williams was amazed, and Toumani Diabaté himself had to confirm it was just one musician playing. Both invited Derek to perform with them—Williams in London, Diabaté in Bamako. His next album, “Libraries on Fire,” earned him the Songlines award and solidified his reputation as a connector of continents.

‘Above all, Derek Gripper is an invitation to travel, to listen, and to discover what brings traditions and people together.’

Yet Derek’s quest doesn’t stop there. He continues to explore, recording albums that blend improvisation, original compositions, and reinterpretations of Bach, Egberto Gismonti, Ali Farka Touré, and Salif Keita. He founded New Cape Records, a creative hub and tribute to his hometown.

What stands out most in Derek’s work is his desire to reveal the deep simplicity that unites music from all over the world. On stage, he shares this passion with humour and generosity, making every concert a unique encounter. Always evolving, he multiplies collaborations—most recently with Ballaké Sissoko—and continues to record for Platoon.

Above all, Derek Gripper is an invitation to travel, to listen, and to discover what brings traditions and people together.