Ali Farka Touré

Ali Farka Touré (1939-2006) was a Malian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is often referred to as "the father of African music". He was renowned for his unique blend of blues, jazz, and traditional African music styles. Touré's music was heavily influenced by the traditional music of his hometown of Niafunké and the music of his father's Fulani people.

Throughout his career, Touré released a number of acclaimed albums, including his 1994 Grammy-winning album, The Source. This album featured some of Touré's most recognizable songs, such as "Coulibaly", "Kala Djula", and "Gomni". Touré's 1998 album, Niafunké, was also well-received, featuring songs such as "Doudou", "Ladilikan", and "Kala Djula".

An interesting fact about Ali Farka Touré is that he was the first African artist to be nominated for a Grammy Award. In addition, he was posthumously awarded a Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album for his 2006 album, Savane.