Musician. Known as "The African Bluesman" this Grammy award winning instrumentalist was considered Mali's most famous performer. He was born in Timbuktu and grew up in the town of Niafunke. As a young boy he learned to play the gurkel and later began playing the guitar. His style of music created a whole new sound referred to as the "desert blues". In 1994 he, along with US guitarist Ry Cooder, won a Grammy for their widely acclaimed "Talking Timbuktu". Just before his death he won his second Grammy Award for his collaborative work with Malian musician Toumani Diabate entitled "In the Heart of the Moon". In 2003 he appeared in Martin Scorsese's documentary "Feel Like Going Home". The film, which traced the history of American Blues from the Niger River in Mali to the Mississippi River in the US, increased the Malian musician's international fame. The following year he once again began touring worldwide. A civic minded man he was elected mayor of Niafunke in 2004 where he took the lead in building roads and helping to make more productive farms for the region. The town has become a pilgrimage spot for music lovers from around the world. The exact day of his birth is not known. He was believed to be in his late sixties at the time of his death.
Musician. Known as "The African Bluesman" this Grammy award winning instrumentalist was considered Mali's most famous performer. He was born in Timbuktu and grew up in the town of Niafunke. As a young boy he learned to play the gurkel and later began playing the guitar. His style of music created a whole new sound referred to as the "desert blues". In 1994 he, along with US guitarist Ry Cooder, won a Grammy for their widely acclaimed "Talking Timbuktu". Just before his death he won his second Grammy Award for his collaborative work with Malian musician Toumani Diabate entitled "In the Heart of the Moon". In 2003 he appeared in Martin Scorsese's documentary "Feel Like Going Home". The film, which traced the history of American Blues from the Niger River in Mali to the Mississippi River in the US, increased the Malian musician's international fame. The following year he once again began touring worldwide. A civic minded man he was elected mayor of Niafunke in 2004 where he took the lead in building roads and helping to make more productive farms for the region. The town has become a pilgrimage spot for music lovers from around the world. The exact day of his birth is not known. He was believed to be in his late sixties at the time of his death.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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