Ali Farka Touré - ’Diaraby’ live on BBC Jools Holland

Mali’s Ali Farka Touré performs ’Diaraby’ live on BBC Jools Holland. Ali Farka Touré, the great singer and guitarist from Mali, is one of the most important musicians in African music. Pioneer of the move from traditional to modern African music, the three times GRAMMY winner was a crucial figure in the popularisation of Malian music. He became internationally famous through his solo albums and world tours and through his collaboration with Ry Cooder ‘Talking Timbuktu’. He also championed the careers of fellow Malian musicians, Toumani Diabaté, Bassekou Kouyaté, Oumou Sangaré and Rokia Traore amongst others. Touré developed a highly individual and instantly recognisable take on the traditional music of the north of Mali, transposing ancient techniques to the Western guitar. He became known as the missing link between African music and the blues; Martin Scorsese called him ‘The DNA of the blues’. Touré was possessed during his m