Toumani Diabaté & Symmetric Orchestra

There's a lot of people that claim to have a talent that's 'in the blood'. When that talent goes back 71 geneations, apparently, I'm prepared to believe that it's in the blood. (I guess heaven help the first generation to turn around and sat 'dad I don't want to do that'.)
It the case of Toumani Diabaté the blood line talent is kora playing. The kora being a 21 string west aftrican harp. His talents, largely self taught, were recognisedby his influence on the wave of what would become known as world music. Not content to be restricted by the traditions of the griots and ideas about what Malian music was about, Toumani set about collaborating with musicians from other styles as his reputation grew amongst other musicians of the world
He also puts a lot back into Mali with a foundation that encourages Kora players and other musicians. The Symmetric Orchestra has had a fluid membership, but the support they've provided Toumani has been exceptional. All in all a combination that is recognised as being one of the finest Africa has to offer