Senegalese Ismaïla Touré, co-founder and member of the musical group Touré Kunda, a pioneer of African music in France in the late 1970s, has died, his family announced on Monday. “Ismaïla died this morning, at the age of 73, following a long illness in Paris“, is it specified in a press release sent to AFP.
Interbreeding
“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“, continues the press release. The family, which calls for respect for his private life, specifies that “funeral details will be communicated in due course“.
Created in the late 1970s and launched with the hit E’Mma Africa (1980), Touré Kunda, co-founded with his brother Sixu Tidiane, is an emblematic group of “world music”, a laboratory of interbreeding between traditional African music and more rock or jazz tones.
Intercultural dialogue
In total, they released over a dozen albums during their career and performed at festivals and concerts around the world. In France, they were invited to celebrate major events, such as the re-election of President François Mitterrand in 1988.
“We have opened a grand boulevard! We have always been open to contributions from other musicians, whether French, African, West Indian, Mauritian or other.“, told the two brothers in January 2018 in an interview with the Sunday newspaperon the occasion of the 40th anniversary of their career.
I am saddened to learn of the death of Ismaël Touré, member of the legendary Touré Kunda group. It is a huge loss for Senegalese and African music. My heartfelt condolences to his family and to the artistic world. I salute his memory. Rest in peace.
— Macky Sall (@Macky_Sall) February 27, 2023
“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“, greets his family.”I am saddened to learn of the death of Ismaïla Touré, member of the legendary Touré Kunda group. It’s a huge loss for Senegalese and African music,” Senegalese President Macky Sall tweeted.