We were fortunate to catch up with the kora playing legend, Toumani Diabate, during a tour with his symmetric orchestra on a stop at the University of Rhode Island as part of the 10th anniversairy of the URI Pangea Roots music series back in 2008.

He performs solo, with the symmetric orchestra, and on special projects like his most recent collaboration and tour with Bela Fleck.

Toumani chats us up on his family of kora players, the connection of his sounds seen in American music, and blending with other types of musicians like Bjorkwhile keeping his original sound.  

We highly recommend you experience Toumani Diabate and check out his latest tour and his CD releases!