Nestled among the glut of audacious talent crammed into the music pages of this year’s Fringe programme is Seckou Keita and his eight-piece Homeland Band. Hailing from Senegal, Keita calls the stage his second home and is more than used to playing for crowds who are experiencing his euphoric brand of West African music for the very first time. For the uninitiated, Keita has spent 30 years carving out a space for himself as a champion of the kora, a divinely impressive string instrument, famed for its intricate and versatile sound.

‘Playing the kora is very complex,’ explains Keita, who has picked up awards from the likes of BBC Radio 2 for his musicianship. ‘You produce the bass line on your left thumb, the melody on your right thumb, and your two index fingers can improvise at the same time on top of that.’ Though it varies by model, Keita plays a 22-string kora, which sounded particularly luscious in his popular NPR Tiny Desk performance last year, and has helped him to win over new listeners across the globe. ‘It’s always an amazing moment of meeting between the kora and those new audiences, however they take it; whether they are positive or calm, or if they have high energy… sometimes people even cry tears of joy.’

Not only is the kora technically impressive, but its roots lie in a vibrant cultural history too. ‘The kora played an important role in West African society, as a peace-making instrument,’ notes Keita. ‘It used to create peace between kings, queens and the people in villages, towns and empires. It dates back to the “griot” tradition, which loosely means mediator or troubadour in the UK. The kings would take advice from the griot.’ It’s easy to wax poetic about the kora, given its unique music and cultural standing, and Keita gladly does. ‘It’s a very special instrument, very spiritual, they call it an instrument of the soul. The wood, which is from a tree: a soul. The skin from an animal: a soul. And the human being playing it. So, three souls.’

Joining Keita on stage is an octet of celebrated and emerging Senegalese talent, including Moustapha Gaye, lead guitarist for fellow countryman Youssou N’Dour. ‘If you’ve never heard us before, be ready to be lifted up,’ says Keita, whose album count now stands in the double figures. ‘The room will be joyful, dance-y and festive... so be ready to smile, dance and sing along!’ 

Seckou Keita & The Homeland Band, Queen’s Hall, run ended; main picture: Andy Morgan.