Fiddler Ellika Frisell and singer and Kora-player Solo Cissokho has been a celebrated duo for years. At present they are enhanced with percussionist Rafael Sida and bassist Sigge Krantz. This is music from Sweden, Senegal and Mexico that mixes to a fine quartet blend, but that also demonstrate the strong musical individuality of each musician. Solo performances by the group’s members are interspersed with ensemble playing. This is strange, unique and intertwining music, for dancing, listening or both.

Ellika Frisell and Solo Cissokho first met in Stockholm in 1998. Ellika passes on the rich Bingsjö tradition, and is well-known for being a part of the influential ensembles Filarfolket and Den Fule. Solo plays the stringed West-African instrument kora, similar to a harp. He is also a Griot, a storyteller that delivers history as a poet, praise singer, and wandering musician. He has lived in Norway since 1995.

The duo won the BBC awards for World Music in 2003, and has also been nominated for the Nordic Council’s Music Award.  They have toured extensively in USA and Africa and in most of Europe.

Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen has portrayed them like this: “Ellika and Solo are simply the gathering of Nordic pols, waltz and springar with Senegalese kora and the Griot musical story telling – an exhilarating and bighearted project with musical glow and perfection.
 

Ellika Frisell | fiddle
Solo Cissokho | kora, vocals
Rafael Sida | percussion
Sigge Krantz | bass