Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DIABATÉ, Toumani

(b 1965, Bamako, Mali) West African kora virtuoso and composer in both 'classical' and popular idioms, known as 'the Prince of the Kora' (his father Sidike being 'the King'). Began playing at age five; public debut at 13 at the Mali Biennial. Solo album Kaira '88 on Hannibal/Rykodisc has become an acknowledged classic, bringing the kora to a wider audience. Albums with flamenco fusion band Ketama included veteran English fusion bassist Danny Thompson are Songhai vols 1 & 2 on Hannibal, continuing to explore common ground in pentatonic scales and Moorish rhythm as well as attracting a new audience; Djelika '95 on Rykodisc also included Thompson, with Basekou Kouyate on ngoni (African lute) and balafonist Keletigui Diabaté (see above), a timeless session of atmospheric and sophisticated African instrumental music. Thompson also plays on Adama Diabaté's Jako Baye on Stern's.