Toumani Diabaté facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toumani Diabaté
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![]() Diabaté describing the construction of the kora in 2007
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Background information | |
Born | 10 August 1965 |
Origin | Gallé, Mali |
Died | 19 July 2024 | (aged 58)
Genres |
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Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Kora |
Years active | 1987–2024 |
Labels | World Circuit |
Toumani Diabaté (pronounced too-MAH-nee jah-BAH-tay) was a celebrated musician from Mali, West Africa. He was a master of the kora, a traditional African instrument that looks like a harp. Toumani was known for playing traditional Malian music. He also loved to mix his music with other styles like flamenco, blues, and jazz. In 2006, a newspaper in London called him one of the top fifty African artists. He passed away on July 19, 2024, at 58 years old.
Contents
Toumani Diabaté's Life Story
Toumani Diabaté came from a long line of kora players. His family had been musicians for 70 generations! His father, Sidiki Diabaté, was also a famous kora player. He even made the first-ever kora album in 1970. Toumani's cousin, Sona Jobarteh, is the first woman from their family to become a professional kora player. Their family belongs to a group called griots. Griots are special storytellers and musicians in West Africa. They pass down history and traditions through songs. Toumani's younger brother, Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, is also a well-known kora player.
Early Music Career
Toumani started his music career early. In 1987, he played on an album with his father's group. This helped his music reach people outside of Mali. In 1988, he released his first solo album in the West. It was called Kaira. He recorded the whole album in just one afternoon in London!
Working with Other Musicians
Toumani Diabaté loved to try new things with his music. He often worked with musicians from different cultures.
- He teamed up with a Spanish flamenco group called Ketama. They formed a band called Songhai. They released two albums together.
- In 1999, he worked with American blues musician Taj Mahal. Their album was called Kulanjan.
- He also collaborated with American jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd on the album MALIcool.
- Toumani even played with the famous Icelandic singer Björk. He appeared on her 2007 album Volta. He later performed with her at the Glastonbury Festival.
Award-Winning Albums
Toumani released many successful albums.
- In 1999, he released New Ancient Strings with Ballaké Sissoko.
- In 2005, he worked with Ali Farka Touré on In the Heart of the Moon. This album won a Grammy Award in 2006 for Best Traditional World Music Album.
- In 2006, he released Boulevard de l'Indépendance with his band, the Symmetric Orchestra.
- Both In the Heart of the Moon and Boulevard de l'Indépendance were recorded in Mali's capital city, Bamako.
The Symmetric Orchestra
Toumani Diabaté led a band called the Symmetric Orchestra. This group included many talented musicians, mostly griots. They came from different parts of the old Mande Empire in West Africa. They played a mix of traditional instruments like the kora, djembe (a drum), balafon (like a xylophone), and bolombatto (a string instrument). They also used modern instruments like guitars and electronic keyboards.
Festival Performances and Recognition
Toumani Diabaté performed at many big music festivals around the world.
- In 2006, he played at the WOMAD Festival in the UK, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and Sziget Festival in Hungary.
- He performed at the Glastonbury Festival in 2007 and toured the United States.
- In 2008, he played at WOMADelaide in Australia.
- His 2008 solo kora album, The Mandé Variations, was highly praised. It was even nominated for a Grammy award. People loved the clear sound of the kora on the album. They also admired Toumani's amazing playing skills.
Video Game Incident
In October 2008, one of Toumani's songs, "Tapha Niang," was in the video game LittleBigPlanet for PlayStation 3. Some of the song's lyrics caused a problem. Because of this, the game's release was delayed for a week. The company had to replace the song with a version that had no words.
Goodwill Ambassador
In December 2008, Toumani Diabaté was named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. He used his music to help raise awareness about important health issues.
Later Career and Legacy
Toumani continued to perform and receive honors.
- In 2010, he was invited by Matt Groening (the creator of The Simpsons) to perform at a music festival.
- In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate in music from SOAS. This award recognized his efforts to share the kora and traditional Malian music with the world.
- In 2016, Toumani organized a music festival in Bamako, Mali, called Festival Acoustik Bamako. It aimed to bring musicians together for peace. Sadly, some outdoor events were canceled due to safety concerns.
Toumani Diabaté's music touched many people around the globe. He left behind a rich legacy of beautiful kora music and cross-cultural collaborations.
Discography
- Kaira (1988)
- Songhai (with Ketama and Danny Thompson) (1988)
- Shake the Whole World (with Symmetric Orchestra) (1992)
- Songhai 2 (with Ketama, Danny Thompson, and José Soto) (1994)
- Djelika (1995)
- New Ancient Strings (with Ballaké Sissoko) (1999)
- Kulanjan (with Taj Mahal) (1999)
- Malicool (with Roswell Rudd) (2002)
- In the Heart of the Moon (with Ali Farka Touré) (2005)
- The Mandé Variations (2008)
- Ali and Toumani – (with Ali Farka Touré) (2010)
- Symphonie Mandingue – Live (2011)
- A Curva da Cintura (with Arnaldo Antunes and Edgard Scandurra) (2011)
- Toumani & Sidiki (with Sidiki Diabaté Jr.) (2014)
- Lamomali (with -M- and Sidiki Diabaté) (2017)
- The Ripple Effect (with Béla Fleck) (2020)
- Kôrôlén (with the London Symphony Orchestra) (2021)
- Toumani, Family & Friends (2022)
- The Sky is the Same Colour Everywhere (with Kayhan Kalhor) (2023)
Filmography
- Bamako Is a Miracle by Maurice Engler, Arnaud Robert, and Samuel Chalard (Afro Blue, Geneva, 2003).
- Toumani Diabaté - Koraklänge aus dem Land der Flusspferde by Martina Pfaff (WDR, Cologne, 2007).
See also
In Spanish: Toumani Diabaté para niños