Toumani Diabaté (1965–2024) was born in Bamako, Mali, into a jeli (griot) family whose kora lineage runs 71 generations, father to son. Self-taught by listening rather than formal instruction from his father Sidiki Diabaté, he released his solo debut Kaira in 1988 and became the most internationally recognized kora player of his era, collaborating with artists including Ali Farka Touré, Björk, Damon Albarn, Taj Mahal, and Béla Fleck. He died in Bamako on July 19, 2024, at age 58; his family attributed his death to a brief illness. He is not to be confused with his own son, also named Sidiki Diabaté, with whom he recorded as the duo “Toumani & Sidiki.”

Mood and energy: virtuosic, meditative, expansive. Recommended uses: reflection, meditation.

Sacred Ground Confidence Score: 5 out of 5 stars   Final recommendation: Approved.

Why this artist belongs in Sacred Sounds: The most globally recognized ambassador of the kora and the Mandé jeli tradition, whose solo recordings are widely used as contemplative listening.