Ismaïla Touré, pioneer of African music in France, died on Monday. “Ismaïla died this morning, at the age of 73, following a long illness in Paris”, his family wrote in a statement. “He left an indelible mark on the world of music and culture. We are proud of his legacy and all the contributions he made throughout his life.” The family, which calls for respect for his private life, specifies that “Funeral details will be communicated in due course.”
Senegalese Ismaïla Touré co-founded the musical group Touré Kunda in the late 1970s with his brother Sixu Tidiane. This group, emblematic of “world music”, a laboratory of interbreeding between traditional African music and more rock or jazz tones, had launched with the hit E’Mother Africa (1980).
“Promote cultural diversity”
In total, the two brothers have released more than a dozen albums during their career and have performed at festivals and concerts around the world. In France, they were invited to celebrate, with their music, major events, such as the re-election of President François Mitterrand. “We have opened a grand boulevard! We have always been open to input from other musicians, whether French, African, West Indian, Mauritian or otherwise.” told the two brothers in January 2018 in an interview with the weekly Sunday newspaperon the occasion of the 40th anniversary of their career.
“Beyond her musical career, Ismaïla Touré […] worked to promote cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, and was a strong advocate for peace, social justice and equal opportunity,” greet his family. On Twitter, Senegalese President Macky Sall paid tribute to the artist: “I am saddened to learn of the death of Ismaïla Touré, member of the legendary Touré Kunda group. It is a huge loss for Senegalese and African music.”