Toumani Diabaté & the Symmetric Orchestra August 13, 2010

More than any other artist, Toumani Diabaté is responsible for introducing the kora—a 21-string harp unique to West Africa—to audiences around the world. But aside from being a player of exceptional virtuosity and creativity, Diabaté plays a vital role as bandleader, teacher, musical conservationist and composer in the capital city of Bamako, Mali, where he was born and has lived all his life.

Diabaté is at the vanguard of a new generation of Malian griots who are constantly looking for ways of modernizing and still honoring their traditional music. He founded and directs a music school in Bamako where Malian children from different social backgrounds learn to play traditional instruments and dance. Many argue that music is Mali’s greatest resource; Diabaté amply demonstrates it.