Mamadou Diabate

Mamadou Diabaté (born 1975) is a Malian kora player and composer known for blending traditional West African music with jazz and blues influences. Born in Kita, Mali, he comes from a distinguished griot family and began playing the 21-string kora at a very young age, following in the footsteps of his father, Djelimory n'fa Diabaté, a member of the Instrumental Ensemble of Mali.

Diabaté gained early recognition in Mali before moving to the United States in the late 1990s, where he expanded his career and collaborated with international artists across genres. Over the years he has released several acclaimed albums that highlight both his technical mastery and his ability to bridge musical traditions. His 2010 album Douga Mansa, a tribute to his father and grandfather, won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album. Through his performances and recordings, Diabaté continues to promote the rich musical heritage of the Manding griot tradition to global audiences.