LA NUIT DE LA KORA

WITH MADOU SIDIKI DIABATÉ AND DIELY MORI TOUNKARA

”Prestige” Series featured by Radio VM

He was barely three years old when his fingers first slid along the chords of the noble kora, he played his first concert at the age of six and, at ten, he was already on his first international tour. It isn’t surprising that Madou Sidiki Diabaté, known simply as Madou, and his equally famous brother, Toumani Diabaté, come from a long line of griot kora player—in fact, they represent the 71st generation. As a guardian of Mandinka history, culture and traditions (an honour that he takes very seriously), Madou, who has played with such greats as Baaba Maal and Salif Keita, will have the opportunity to exhibit the boundless potential of his pure sounding instrument, by delicately echoing the charm and traditions of West Africa, during the special kora night, which promises to be moving and luminous.

That evening, he and Diely Mori Tounkara, based in Montreal and winner of numerous awards, including the Syli d’Or de la musique du monde or the Conseil des arts de Montréal’s Coup de Coeur, will make the room vibrate in unison. Their kora playing, fluid and inspired, results of a great technical mastery, will highlight all the magic of Mandingo rhythms, guided by a real desire to go and meet the other, with a wide benevolent smile as a bonus.