Pa Bobo Jobarteh is undoubtedly The Gambia's most popular young kora musician. He started playing the twenty one string music instrument at the age of six, under the guidance of his father, Ma Lamin Jobarteh and brother Tata Dindin.

Tell us about your recent trip to UK ?

I was invited by WOMAD. Every year this organisation invites me to perform for them during festivals. I was working with a renowned guitarist Tom Toomey; in fact I did a song with him called African Sunset which was included in his recently released CD. This man is currently running a music school in South Africa . He once visited South Africa and noticed that most of the kids are out of school. He brought ten guitars and started teaching the children. It surprisingly became a popular project and currently the school is having more than two hundred students.

During one of our conversations I also told him the need to start a similar thing in The Gambia. He welcomed the idea and has given me the green light. At the moment I am building ten kora and later I am hoping to receive guitars and keyboards.

How did WOMAD identify you?

They once came to the Gambia and at that time I was just ten years old. Since my home was very popular when it comes to kora music, they came to meet my father. When they saw me playing the kora , they became flabbergasted and could not believe what they saw. They even tie my eyes with a piece of cloth and asked me to play the instrument and again I did it.

They started to built keen interest in me and in 1989 they negotiated with my father so that I can travel with them for a festival. This is how my link with them started.

During your recent engagement with WOMAD, which parts of UK have you performed?

I have performed in places like Reading , Edinburgh and few other places.

How was the audience?

It was big. WOMAD is getting more and more popular. More than twenty four thousand people usually attend WOMAD festivals.

Usually when you are going to WOMAD festivals you don't go with your band members. This sounds very strange to me; can you shed some light on it?

Only three of us went. It's not easy to go with a band, but I am trying to impress them so that they can have confidence in me and those that I work with. In fact you will be surprised to know that, I was to go with my band in the just concluded festival. The problem was their work permits arrived late.

How do you perform without your band?

I perform as a solo player. Sometimes other musicians support me.

Are you not interested in making Europe your base?

I don't want our culture to fade away like that. If all us stay in Europe who will teach the young ones here. I got lot of young people in my family who needs my guidance in the kora music. Apart from that I don't even think I will enjoy staying in Europe . It's too lonely for my liking and the people are not open.

Finally your track Peace, Love and Unity has become a hit. Almost every day it's on the TV. When you were developing the song did you expect such a response from the people?

I never thought it will reach such a level. In the song I tried as much as possible to show the people what we have in our country and that is Peace Love and Unity . One Saturday I was watching GRTS and they asked the president to select a song that they can play for him. He only answered by telling them to play a song that has meaning and a song that everybody will appreciate. My Peace Love and Unity was selected. I was very happy on that day.

Thank you for speaking to onegambia .

It's my pleasure.