Smart bets: Sean Gaskell and Will Ridenour

Six-stringed instruments in West Asheville are great, but how about 21-stringed instruments from West Africa for a change? Sean Gaskell and Will Ridenour perform on the kora — an ancient harp-lute, which assigns 11 strings to the left hand and 10 to the right — lulling listeners into a captivatingly layered aural voyage. A press release says the pair impart a “sense of peace and wonder” upon audiences, likening the listening experience to “seeing a new color.” The two pay homage to traditional songs but modernize the instrument with original compositions and experimental tunings. Gaskell and Ridenour play Dobra Tea on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 8 p.m. $5. dobrateanc.com. Gaskell also performs alongside Zimbabwe mbira instrumentalist Christy Clavio at Good Stuff Grocery in Marshall on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 8 p.m, with admission by donation. goodstuffgrocery.com. Photo courtesy of Gaskell

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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