Originally from Ziguinchor, in Casamance, the “Elephant family” in Soninké was a pioneer of African music in France in the late 1970s.
MO12345LEMONDE with AFP
The Senegalese Ismaïla Touré, co -founder and member of the musical group Touré Kunda, a pioneer of African music in France in the late 1970s, died, his family announced on Monday, February 27. “Ismaïla died this morning, at the age of 73, following a long illness in Paris,” she wrote in a statement transmitted to AFP. “He left an indelible imprint in the world of music and culture. We are proud of his inheritance and all the contributions he has made throughout his life,” continues the press release.
The family, who calls for respect for his private life, specifies that “the details concerning the funeral will be communicated in due time”.
Created in the late 1970s and launched with the “E’Mma” tube (1980), Touré Kunda, co -founded with his brother Sixu Tidiane, is an emblematic group of the “World Music”, a mixture laboratory between Traditional African music and more rock or jazz tones.
In total, they released more than a dozen albums during their careers and have played in 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 big boulevard! We have always been open to the contributions of other musicians, whether French, Africans, West Indian, Mauritians or others,” said the two brothers in January 2018 in an interview with ‘French weekly Journal du Dimanche, on 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 fervent defender of peace, social justice and equal opportunities “, Selves his family.
“I am struggled to learn the death of Ismaïla Touré, member of the legendary group Touré Kunda. It is an immense loss for Senegalese and African music,” reacted Senegalese President Macky Sall on Twitter .