Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita

A brand new collaboration featuring two world class virtuosos, a meeting of harp and kora. Leading Welsh classical harpist Catrin Finch and inspired kora player Seckou Keita combine forces to explore the traditions of Wales and Senegal. Both nations share a centuries old bardic-griot tradition of intricate oral history expressed through music, song and verse. The harp and the kora, instruments from the same family, occupy a vital place in these rich cultures. Catrin and Seckou dig deep into Manding and Celtic roots whilst adding a fresh sound of their own.

Harpist Catrin Finch is one of Wales’ leading international musical ambassadors, and one of the world’s finest players of this most Welsh of instruments. The “Queen of Harps”, Catrin was Royal Harpist to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales from 2000-2004. Her concert appearances with the
world’s top orchestras span the globe and she has worked alongside artists such as Bryn Terfel, Sir James Galway and Julian Lloyd-Webber. Catrin “has done more than anyone in harp history to bring her instrument to a wider public” (Classic FM Magazine), and “pulverises the
stereotype of harpists as pretty, angelic strummers....” (New York Times).

From Casamance in Senegal, Seckou Keita is both a member of the royal Keita dynasty from Mali (through his father), and a griot, a traditional West African praise singer (through his mother's family, the Cissokhos, from Senegal). He has built a formidable reputation as “an inspired
exponent of the Kora” (The Guardian) and is “a brilliant live performer with stacks of charisma” (Lucy Duran, Radio BBC3).

Videos live and in rehearsal ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtRfMOmG-tM&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYt8QQP_Ws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU-H2zg3_BM&feature=youtu.be

http://www.catrinfinch.com
http://www.seckoukeita.com/
http://www.mwldan.co.uk/
http://www.astarmusic.co.uk/

This new collaboration is a Theatr Mwldan-Astar Artes co-production supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government for touring in 2013/2014 and beyond. The Theatr Mwldan and Astar Artes partnership has previously successfully co-produced the collaborative projects between Billy Cobham and Asere, and between Catrin Finch and Cimarron.

Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita release their debut album in the UK in October 2013, followed by touring in Wales and the rest of the UK in November 2013 and May 2014. Further UK and international touring will follow in 2014 and beyond along with the album release in international territories. The album will be released on the Astar/Mwldan label, with physical distribution in the UK by Discovery Records/Sterns and digital distribution in all territories by Believe Digital. Annie Reed Music Ltd will handle all publishing and sync/licensing. UK touring is being handled directly by Astar/Mwldan; international touring will be handled by appropriate agents in each territory.