As many of us have heard, the beloved and rare instrument of Mali’s renowned musician, Ballake Sissoko, was reportedly destroyed by US TSA Agents last week. The instrument is a KORA and is a delicate, harp-like West African instrument that usually has 21 strings and is handmade and irreplaceable. Please join me this Tuesday 10 am – noon for “Flying Colors – Music of the World” when I’ll be showcasing the music of Ballake Sissoko, among other world musicians. “In Mali,” the musician’s statement says in part, “the jihadists threaten to destroy musical instruments, cut the tongues out of singers and to silence Mali’s great musical heritage. In 2013, German cellist Alban Gerhardt said that TSA carelessness led to his $20,000 bow being snapped in half.” – From NPR News