Toumani Diabaté was a Malian musician and composer best known for his innovative work on the kora, through which he blended traditional West African music with influences like jazz, flamenco, and others.
- Died: July 19, 2024 (Who else died on July 19?)
- Details of death: Died in Bamako, Mali of kidney failure at the age of 58.
- We invite you to share condolences for Toumani Diabaté in our Guest Book.
Toumani Diabaté’s legacy
In some ways, Toumani Diabaté was born to play the kora, a traditional West African instrument that has been played in the region for centuries. The first ever album of kora music was recorded by his father, Sidiki Diabaté, and according to family tradition, players go back dozens of generations.
Diabaté made his recorded debut on one of his father’s LPs, but in 1988 he struck out on his own with “Kaira,” the first in what would become an extensive discography of music. The record caught the ears of musicians throughout the world, and soon Diabaté was working with American blues musicians, pop artists such as Bjork, jazz musicians, and others. These influences made their way back into Diabaté’s own music, with which he began to merge traditional sounds from his home country of Mali.
Dubbed the king of the kora, Diabaté earned global acclaim for his artistry. He released nearly 20 albums, played widely at festivals, and was named United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for using his music to spotlight important issues. In 2014, the School of Oriental and African Studies awarded Diabaté with an honorary Doctorate. He released several albums with fellow Malian musician Ali Farka Touré.
Tributes to Toumani Diabaté
Full obituary: The New York Times
