Yo Yo Ma & the Kalahari Bushmen

In June 2023, David Coulson was reunited with an old friend, Yo Yo Ma, the cellist, who gave a solo concert in Nairobi near the end of his five-year tour, The Bach Project, which has taken him to 36 cities across six continents. The project combines J. S. Bach’s cello suites with local cultural programming, reflecting Yo-Yo Ma’s belief that culture can connect and strengthen communities.

Some years ago, David helped Channel 4 TV make a film of Yo Yo Ma with Kalahari Bushmen (San hunter gatherers) whose music and musical instruments date back to the distant past. During the film project Yo Yo travelled round the Kalahari in David’s Toyota Landcruiser.

Last week in Nairobi, the two friends were reunited.