Emam and Friends Web Site

Daniel Berkman African kora, guitar Listen to live recordings featuring Daniel Mali Sajo (West African) Ali Fayaya (West African) Jai Ganesha (Emam) Gypsy Song (Turkish) Kura (West African) Whisper (Emam) Recorded live at Ashkenaz (Berkeley, CA) - June 10/2009 also features Gari Hegedus on oud/violin, Emam on tabla, Hadley Louden on percussion/piano and and Matthew Montfort, guitar on "Whisper" Daniel Berkman is a San Francisco based multi-instrumentalist and innovator of the Kora (a 21- stringed harp / lute from West Africa). Having studied Kora with Kora masters in the US and in Senegal, Gambia and Mali, Daniel is one of the rare few sharing with us this unique ancient instrument, playing traditional songs originally played by the Griots (heretical storytellers of the Mandinka people of West Africa). His repertoire also includes classical music, famous popular tunes and a delightful collection of his own Kora compositions. Daniel's musical style is a fusion of West African, New Age, Electronic and Jazz, which together help define his unique modern sound. Some of Daniel's other instruments include the Handsonic, Electric Guitar, Electric Sitar, Casio DG-20 Digital Guitar, Korg Minikorg, Gravikord (stainless steel electric Kora), Electric Ukulele, Keyboard and Laptop. Daniel has three recordings of Kora music to his credit: "Heartstrings" (1996), "Feverdreams" (1998) and "Calabashmoon" (2005). Daniel is expected to release his debut electronic CD in the summer of 2009 under the moniker Colfax. More Kora loveliness is on its way, too!