This was an event as much as a concert which also turned into an impromptu jam session. Some of the best UK-based African musicians were brought together with the grandeur of Oxford's cathedral, and a packed audience brimming with goodwill, by Oxford-based charity SOS Sahal International UK to raise funds for their work in sub-Saharan Africa.

Their music lived up to the billing of an 'untraditional' Christmas concert as from start to finish the cathedral was filled with different African sounds, rhythms and languages without an echo of seasonal carols and hymns.

Jali Fily Cissokho from southern Senegal now lives in Witney. A virtuoso of the kora, the African harp, and a Griot praise singer from a long line of Griots, he started playing solo seated on the ground. Invisible to those at the back of the south transept, this was Jali at his atmospheric best. When joined by his band, their balance wasn't as good as I've heard before, and the kora was almost drowned out by the djembe drum and electric guitar.

Star of the night was Juidah Camera, playing the West African single-string fiddle, the riti or nyanyeru. After jamming with Jali Fily's band, he launched into a stunning solo set amazing for the variety he drew from the single string as he made it dance and whisper accompanied by his lilting voice. The delicate cadence which one number faded away drew an audible sigh of pleasure from the entranced audience. No wonder Juidah has recently been nominated for a BBC world music award.

After Margaret Sentamu, wife of the Archbishop of York, reminded us why we were there, linking the work of SOS Sahel with the Christmas message, it was back to a different African cultural tradition. This time the insistent drumming, and powerful vocals of Brighton-based West African Hi-Life band, Yiri Baa. In among all their high energy, it was a quieter number, led by kora and sax, that stood out until they led a joyous finale. This turned into a jam with all the musicians on stage and a delighted audience on their feet dancing and clapping. Not at all like a traditional Christmas concert, but I think the cathedral approved.