“One of Mali’s most prominent musicians, Ballaké Sissoko, has alleged that the Transportation Security Administration [TSA] destroyed his specially designed instrument during a trip from New York to Paris,” writes Anastasia Tsioulcas on Thursday’s (2/6) National Public Radio. “On Thursday afternoon, the TSA said that its agents did not open the instrument case or create the damage. Sissoko is an internationally celebrated player of the kora—a delicate, harp-like West African instrument … The alleged incident occurred as Sissoko was leaving the U.S. after a cross-country tour with the trio 3MA; he was booked on an overnight flight on Air France. Sissoko had checked his kora, which was packed in a hard case…. Once he arrived at his apartment in Paris, Sissoko says, he found his kora completely taken apart, and that it was accompanied by a note from TSA saying that the case had been opened and its contents inspected…. A number of U.S. organizations, ranging from the American Federation of Musicians union to the League of American Orchestras and the Recording Industry Association of America, have been active in efforts to ‘resolve long overdue inconsistent travel policies’ when it comes to flying with instruments in the U.S.”
Visit the League of American Orchestras advocacy page for aviation tips for traveling musicians.
Change font size
