Toumani Diabaté will be celebrated globally for his unparalleled mastery of the kora, a revered 21-string instrument from West Africa.
In Mali, his impact is even broader: he is remembered not only as the supreme kora virtuoso but also as a patron of the arts, an advocate for HIV awareness, and a key figure in a prestigious griot family.
Born on August 10, 1965, in Bamako, Diabaté grew up in a musical environment. His mother, Nama Koïta, was a singer, while his father, Sidiki Diabaté, was honored as the king of the kora at the historic Festac ’77 festival in Lagos.
The men come from a deep heritage of griots—guardians of Mandingo storytelling traditions—who have played the kora for over 70 generations.
Diabaté began his kora journey at just five years old, learning from his father. By his teenage years, he was part of a musical ensemble in Koulikoro, located by the River Niger. At 13, his group won the award for best traditional orchestra at the Koulikoro Biennale.
Throughout his life, until his death at 58, Diabaté performed on numerous stages worldwide, regionally, and nationally, sharing the stage with celebrated artists like Bassekou Sissoko, Youssou N’Dour, and Ali Farka Touré.
Diabaté remained highly esteemed among his Malian audience, extending his influence beyond his musical talent. As Senegalese artist Youssou N’Dour described him, he was “an ambassador for Mali, an ambassador for Africa.”
He was passionate about elevating other musicians of his heritage, often giving them opportunities to shine. His Symmetric Orchestra featured many fellow griots from West Africa.
In 2016, he established the Festival Acoustik Bamako, launching it amidst the tense atmosphere following the 2015 terrorist attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako.
Diabaté regarded Mali as “the heart of culture” in Africa and was committed to leading a cultural revival, even in the face of the country’s ongoing security issues.
The kora legend left behind an impressive legacy with at least 19 albums and received many accolades during his lifetime.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London for his efforts in popularizing the kora globally, and he earned two Grammy Awards from five nominations.
Diabaté performed at renowned festivals such as Glastonbury and Womad in the UK, Roskilde in Denmark, Sziget in Hungary, and Womadelaide in Australia.
It is unfortunate that he will not be able to see the release of his final project, Toumani, Family and Friends, which features collaborations with notable West African artists like Tiken Jah Fakoly, Alpha Blondy, and his son Sidiki. The album was scheduled to debut this month.
The tradition of West African griot music continues through Sidiki, his uncle Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, and his cousin, Gambian artist Sona Jobarteh.
