Diabaté was extensively recognised as the best kora musician of his technology. His easy, calm and dignified strumming of the kora to provide enchanting and blues-like sounds that stick with the listener lengthy after his efficiency was unrivalled.
I used to be shocked to be taught of the passing on 19 July of the maestro of kora music, the Malian, Toumani Diabaté. He was solely 58! There are numerous nice kora musicians, resembling Sona Jorbateh, Ballaké Sisoko, Sékou Keita and Jeli Moussa Djawara. Many will agree, nonetheless, that Toumani Djiabate was a towering determine amongst them.
Diabaté was extensively recognised as the best kora musician of his technology. His easy, calm and dignified strumming of the kora to provide enchanting and blues-like sounds that stick with the listener lengthy after his efficiency was unrivalled.
Diabaté was a prolific creator of music, with 20 or extra critically acclaimed albums and numerous singles in his repertoire. These will proceed to entertain his followers and maintain his legacy.
His Within the Coronary heart of the Moon album of 2005, through which he collaborated with the late musical supremo, Ali Farka Touré, arguably Mali’s most gifted musician and credited to have demonstrated that African-American blues music originated from West Africa, gained the 2006 Grammy Award for the “Greatest Conventional World Music Album.”
Diabaté’s Mandé Variations album was additionally nominated for a Grammy award in 2008. That very same yr, he was appointed a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador due to the highlight his music gave to the battle towards HIV and AIDS.
And in 2014, the Faculty of Oriental and African Research, College of London, awarded him an honorary doctorate in music for his contribution in popularising kora music.
As is the case with many kora musicians, Diabaté got here from a djeli or griot household of oral historians, storytellers and reward singers among the many Mandingo and Soso individuals of West Africa.
His father, Sidiki Djiabté, was reputed to have recorded the primary ever kora album in 1970. The musical historical past of his household is believed to return to 70 generations.
Djelis had been distinguished figures in public affairs through the nice Mali empire within the 14th century. They had been linked to households of warrior kings and accompanied them to public features. The djeli of the Mali empire’s founder, Sundiata, was believed to be Bala Faséké, as recounted within the “Epic of Sundiata” — an heroic poem that tells the story of Sundiata’s valour.
Diabaté’s son, named after his father, Sidiki, can be a kora musician. They usually carried out collectively. Hopefully, Sidiki will proceed in his father’s footsteps by pushing the frontiers of this nice musical custom to new heights.
Djelis had been distinguished figures in public affairs through the nice Mali empire within the 14th century. They had been linked to households of warrior kings and accompanied them to public features. The djeli of the Mali empire’s founder, Sundiata, was believed to be Bala Faséké, as recounted within the “Epic of Sundiata” — an heroic poem that tells the story of Sundiata’s valour.
I used to be first uncovered to kora music as a younger boy in Sierra Leone within the Nineteen Sixties. Our father was an enthusiastic fan of Mandingo and Soso music. His radio in our sitting room was at all times tuned to Radio Guinea on each Sunday.
And as a fluent speaker of Soso, he would sing together with pleasure when acquainted songs had been performed. It was unattainable to disregard, or not be influenced by this music because it was largely all that we listened to on Sundays.
The one factor that stood out for me as I look again at these youth was the melodious and soothing string sounds of the kora and balanji (xylophone).
Kora music has remained certainly one of my favorite music genres after I need to loosen up and replicate deeply on points. Toumani Djiabaté’s albums and singles at all times occupy high spot on my playlist.
Lovers of conventional African music, particularly kora music, will sorely miss him. Could he relaxation in everlasting peace.
Yusuf Bangura writes from Nyon, Switzerland. Electronic mail: Bangura.ym@gmail.com
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