Ali Boulo Santo

Ali Boulo Santo is a Senegalese kora player, said to be born "with the kora in his hands". He was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1974 as Dieuorou Cissoko. He is a nephew of the king of the kora Soundioulou Cissokho. Although he had played with various groups in Dakar he didn't get international exposure until he met Frédéric Galliano in 1999, with whom he has continued to work until today. Ali Boulo Santo is known for his innovative style of playing the kora (such as using a wah wah pedal) and the creativity to combine mandingo music with Senegalese and Western influences.