Sierra Leone: Artists from Telem Freetown selected for Global Musician Workshop

Hosted by Grammy-winning French-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road non-profit, the week-long artist exchange programme brings together a mix of participants and faculty-led bands, offering group workshops, elective classes, jam sessions, panel discussions and a multi-night performance festival featuring both faculty members and participants.

The programme is led by a group of renowned faculty artists, including musicians from the Silkroad Ensemble, who teach various styles of music representing diverse backgrounds and traditions. Open to musicians and educators aged 18 and above, regardless of their musical background, the Global Musician Workshop (GMW) welcomes individuals from classical, jazz, folk and traditional styles.

The selected musicians represent the Telem Freetown Uncommon Sounds initiative founded by Krontiris and aimed at fostering an open and experimental creative community in Freetown. Telem’s membership comprises composers and songwriters, showcasing original music across various genres, such as Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, jazz, soul, R&B, acoustic folk, funk and brass.

“Telem Uncommon Sounds was chosen for the programme because their musical leadership in pioneering a new wave of Afrocentric jazz fusion in Sierra Leone is something we have never before incorporated in our musical programming at the Global Musician Workshop,” a statement reads. “We selected them and their organisation Telem Uncommon Sounds from among so many strong applicants because we saw world-class talent that would add something very new and rich to our programming. Last year, only 5% of our participants were of African origin and zero from Sierra Leone. Telem’s participation this year would double that percentage and ensure that the ‘global’ nature of our programme truly reflects all the sounds and magic of African music.”

“Learning to play the piano as a child, my parents would take me to classical music concerts,” Krontiris said. I remember hearing Yo-Yo Ma play his cello, and grew up knowing what an important musician he was. As a scholar of civic life and a facilitator who believes deeply in the importance of ‘bridging leadership’.

“I've also seen how he has continuously explored new ways of bringing people together across lines of difference using music. I’m honoured to be able to join so many incredible musicians from across the globe to experience creativity, joy and connection together this August.”

“Thank you to our entire community for helping us reach this milestone,” Telem Freetown said. “We look forward to investing everything we learn back into Sierra Leone’s creative economy.”