Contents
Singer
Ali Farka Touré
Famoose for
Connecting Malian guitar traditions with an international blues audience.
Talking Timbuktu · Niafunké
- Born
- 31 October 1939
- Birthplace
- Kanau, Mali
- Died
- 6 March 2006
More people
Ali Farka Touré
Ali Farka Touré was a Malian musician whose spare, rhythmic guitar playing drew on the traditions of northern Mali.
Early life
Niafunké
Grew up near the Niger River.
Learning
Learned traditional instruments before taking up guitar.
Career
- 1960s–1970s
Early career
Performed and worked in Mali.
- 1980s–1990s
International recordings
Reached audiences abroad through albums and touring.
- Later life
Local commitments
Combined recording with farming and public service.
Selected music
Talking Timbuktu
Collaborated with Ry Cooder.
Niafunké
Recorded close to his home community.
In the Heart of the Moon
Worked with kora player Toumani Diabaté.
Beyond work
Farming
Maintained a strong commitment to agriculture.
Public service
Served as mayor of Niafunké.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Tagles. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
