Samba Touré

Samba Touré (born June 15, 1968) is a Malian singer and guitarist. He has released numerous albums, many of which have been internally renown. He has also toured across Africa, the United States and Europe several times. Touré has been repeatedly described as "anti-Griot" for the ways he breaks away from West African musical traditions.

Touré has collaborated with a large number of artists, both Malian and international. They include: Oumou Sangaré, Toumani Diabaté, Afel Bocoum, Bassekou Kouyate, Ahmed Ag Kaedy, Aziza Brahim, and Tartit. He has also toured with a number of notable musicians, including B. B. King, Ernst Reijseger, Matthieu Chedid, Vieux Farka Touré, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Angélique Kidjo, and Songhoy Blues. Shortly before he was born, his father died, leaving his mother to raise him and his brother, Ibrahima Séré, alone. His mother couldn't afford for Touré to attend school. As his mother was a musician, he learned music at a young age. His mother sang alongside Ali Farka Touré.

Career

Early career At age 25, Touré moved to Mali's capital, Bamako. Inspired by soukous from Zaire, Touré formed the band Farafina Lolo (African Star), featuring his brother playing drums and Baba Simaga playing bass guitar. Touré performed as the singer. Ali Farka Touré began to mentor him. Ali Farka Touré also provided Touré with equipment to play music.

In the mid-1990s, Farafina Lolo broke up. Baarakelaw was recorded during an energy crisis in 2023, which made recording difficult as power outages were frequent and unpredictable.

Personal life Touré's wife passed away during his 2023 European tour.

Discography

2003 - Fondo (Camara Production) 2007 - Aïto (Seydoni Mali) 2009 - Songhaï Blues: Homage to Ali Farka Touré (Riverboat Records) 2011 - Crocodile Blues (Riverboat Records) 2013 - Albala (Glitterbeat Records) 2018 - Wande (Glitterbeat Records) 2021 - Binga (Glitterbeat Records) 2024 - Baarakelaw (Glitterbeat Records)