Sana Ndiaye Band

Sana Ndiaye was born in the southern region of Senegal in the village of Djembering. He first played the ekonting as a small boy, following the tradition of the Jola people. An ancient and extremely rare three-stringed gourd instrument, the ekonting (which looks like a large banjo) is virtually extinct in Senegal. Played using a technique similar to plucking a guitar, its sound is so soothing that historically it was used to bring peace to the villagers in times of unrest.

As a young man, Sana balanced school with playing the ekonting for community functions and celebrations. In his mid-twenties, he moved to Dakar to join his parents, who had been living in the city for many years working to support their family back in the village. While in Dakar, Sana met up with the early members of Gokh-Bi System (Neighborhood System), who were looking to expand their hip-hop group with traditional instruments. The combination of the ekonting with rap interested producers from the United States and they were soon became one of the most well known African hip-hop groups in the U.S., sharing the stage with a number of notable performers including Damian Marley, The Last Poets, Angelique Kidjo, Culture, Toots and the Maytals and Michael Franti.

Sana has traveled many times to the United States to tour with Gokh-bi System, playing festivals, concert halls, clubs and schools. While he remains a working member of Gokh-Bi System and continues to tour with them to spread the message of peace, love and justice, he is also currently working on solo projects highlighting the beautiful music of the ekonting and traditional vocals.