Biography

An infectious blend of African, Latin, Brazilian, reggae, and pop rhythms made Touré Kunda one of the most successful bands to come out of Senegal. Their 1995 album Paris Ziguinchor sold more than a quarter of a million copies, while their guest harmonies helped to turn "Africa Bamba" into one of the most exciting songs on Santana's nine Grammy Award-winning 1999 album Supernatural. Initially based in the Casamance region of southwest Senegal, Touré Kunda was formed by brothers Amadou, Ismaïla, and Sixu Touré to perform at the traditional Senegalese coming-of-age ceremony, Djamba Dong. They added the name "Kunda" from the Soninké word for "family." Although they played Indigenous African instruments -- including kora, balafon, and sabar -- at first, the band increasingly adopted Western instruments including guitars, electric bass, and synthesizer. Relocating to Paris in 1979, Touré Kunda continued to stir audiences with a mbalax- and reggae-influenced dance music that they dubbed "djambaadong." The band performed for Nelson Mandela during his first trip to France in 1982; this performance marked one of the original group's final shows. A year later, oldest brother and bandleader Amadou Touré suffered a fatal heart attack. After performing a memorial concert and recording a tribute album, 1983's Amadou Tilo, the remaining members agreed to continue working together, and younger brother Ousmane was added to the group. Ismaïla Touré died in Paris on February 27, 2023, at the age of 73. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi