Legendary Malian kora player Toumani Diabate passed away on Friday, July 19th, 2024, at the age of 58.
The cause of death was reported as a brief illness by his family on social media.
Diabate was a true virtuoso of the kora, a harp-like instrument with a rich history in West Africa.
He was born into a griot family in 1965, where generations had served as storytellers and guardians of Malian traditions.
His passing has left a void in the West African music scene.
Fellow musicians like Senegalese legend Youssou N’dour hailed Diabate as “a virtuoso of the kora and an unmatched musical arranger.”
Malian songbird Oumou Sangare called him “a bridge between our ancestral traditions and modernity.”
Renowned singer Salif Keita referred to him as “the loss of (Mali’s) national treasure.”
Diabate’s influence transcended Mali. He was known for his willingness to collaborate with artists from diverse genres, including flamenco, blues, and jazz.
His death marks a significant loss for music lovers worldwide.
