Toumani Diabaté, the revered Malian kora player known as the “King of Kora,” passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the age of 58 following a short illness, his family announced on social media.
Diabaté, who was born in 1965 into a family of traditional storytellers and guardians of Mali’s rich oral histories. He was a master of the Kora, an African stringed instrument. Over his illustrious career, he performed the traditional music of Mali and engaged in cross-cultural collaborations, blending the sounds of flamenco, blues, jazz, and other international styles.
His son, Sidiki Diabaté, who is also a musician, expressed his sorrow on Facebook, writing, “My dear dad is gone forever.”
Toumani Diabaté’s death occurred at a private clinic in Bamako, the capital of the West African nation. His contributions to music have left an indelible mark, not only in Mali but across the globe.
The news of his passing has elicited tributes from fellow stars of the vast West African music scene. Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour lauded him as “a virtuoso of the kora, an unmatched musical arranger” in a heartfelt post on X.
Diabaté’s legacy will continue to inspire and resonate within the world of music, honoring his remarkable skill and innovative spirit in bridging traditional and contemporary sounds.
