About

About

Josh Doughty began playing the kora (a West African 21-stringed harp) when he was eight years old. First learning from his father, Adam Doughty, Josh soon developed a fascination for the instrument and would practice for hours on end, rewinding and replaying cassette tapes of kora masters and figuring out how to play along.

As a teenager, his exceptional talent was spotted by Malian kora legend Toumani Diabate, who invited Josh to visit him in Mali to deepen his learning. Josh made his first trip to Mali in 2007, aged 17, and since then he has made countless extended visits to Mali and the neighbouring regions, embedding himself in the culture and traditions of West Africa. In this time, Toumani has become Josh’s teacher, mentor and friend.

Over the past decade, Josh has collaborated with a number of leading musicians from Africa and Europe, including Sampha on his Mercury Prize-winning album, Process. He has played at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall, St James’ Palace, the renowned Le Diplomate club in Mali and several UK festivals including WOMAD, Tribe of Doris, Tropical Pressure and Shambala. Winner of the World music category at the Welsh International Harp Festival in 2018, Josh also has been featured in Songlines Magazine and has delivered a TEDx talk on his life and his music.

Now living in Bristol, UK, Josh teaches kora, plays and creates his own music. As well as teaching private students, Josh runs a regular workshop at Basel Music Academy in Switzerland and residential workshops in the UK as part of his co-founded venture, Korason Workshops. He also works with Live Music Now, providing music therapy to people in hospitals, care homes, hospices and special schools.

Josh combines traditional rhythms with modern Western influences, composing pieces with an accomplished individual style that captivates his audience. His passion for this unique, complex and mesmerizing instrument earns him a rightful place amongst a new generation of kora players and brings joy to all who hear him play.

Music Qualifications & Achievements:

  • Student of Toumani Diabate
Location

Hamilton Rd, Southville, Bristol BS3 1PB, UK

Geolocation

51.4436405,-2.6081384

Instrument(s) Taught

Kora

Where do lessons take place?

Teacher's Location, Student's House

Prices

60 minutes

£35.00

Other Lesson Prices

2 Hours: £50.00

Discounted Introductory Lesson

No

Contact

Get in Touch

Teacher Profile Enquiry

Lessons

Level(s) Taught

Beginner (up to Grade 5)

Youngest Age Taught

11

Class Sizes

One-to-One (Individual)

Reviews

Reviews

May 30, 2021

Josh has an excellent teaching method, progressive, rigourous and always smiling.

Bruno
Verified
May 30, 2021

The Kora has a rich history and is a truely magical instrument which always draws a lovely bunch of people towards it. I thoroughly recommend seeking out a Kora workshop with Josh. Him and his team have some great techniques to help you learn some of the basics and they are all great fun, patient, passionate about what they do and extremely talented. It’s an instrument which pretty much always sounds beautiful but having a go also gives you an appreciation for how it is played in an experts hands. Seeing Josh play is absolutely captivating.

Naomi
Verified

Leave a Review

Languages

Language(s) Spoken

English

Professionalism

Safeguarding Certificate

None

Liability Insurance

No, I do not have public / general liability insurance

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Profile Details

First Name

Josh

Last Name

Doughty

Username

josh-doughty