Vieux Farka Touré

Vieux Farka Touré is an artist, whose music holds a powerful magnetic energy.

Born in Niafunké, Mali, West Africa, he is the son of legendary Ali Farka Touré, who held the name “King of Desert Blues.” An outstanding international guitarist he paved the way for a host of musical talent.

Inheriting his father’s musical genes, he felt a strong sense that music was his pathway. Ali’s Farka Touré’s journey to becoming a world-recognised artist was full of challenges, hence, why he tried to veer his son away from the same musical voyage. He advised his son to become a soldier, but Vieux wasn’t interested and felt music was the way he needed to go. After hearing about Vieux’s artistic talent, Malian Kora player, “Toumani Diabate,” helped convince Ali, that music was the right path for his son. After receiving the blessing from his father, they recorded several songs together. Sadly in 2006, Ali Farka Touré passed away.

Music is deeply rooted in Malian culture and stems from the Mande & Songhai empires. Jeli’s/griots were the Malian storytellers who used music as a way to pass down relevant ancestral knowledge, as well as various news in the communities.

Playing more than one instrument is quite common for many West African musicians. Rhythm & percussion is where the root of music forms. Vieux was also a percussionist, and attended “Institut National des Arts, de Bamako.”

“Modiba Records,” is an independent record company in the States, and owned by Eric Herman. After becoming acquainted with Vieux’s sound, he was keen to work with him and offered him an opportunity to produce an album. Touré’s self-titled album featured some songs with his father, and also Toumani Diabate.
“Desert Blues” was their sound. As a musician, Vieux was dedicated to putting his stamp on the Desert Blues genre. By the release of his second album, “Fondo,” his unique formation had been formed.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup, was hosted in South Africa, and Vieux was offered the opportunity to perform at the opening ceremony alongside well-known artists such as, “The Black-Eyed Peas, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Alicia Keys.”
When Touré plays live, his music stimulates amazing energy, and performing at the event helped to expand the musician’s presence on a much larger scale. In the same year, he put forward a live album.

As 2011 came through, his follow-up album “Secret,” was the musical union of Desert Blues from past & present, featuring two generations, father and son.
He followed up with, “Mon Pays,” in 2013, which was Vieux’s dedication to his country. Over the following years, he collaborated with various musicians.

2017 saw the release of “Samba,’ an album which was recorded at Woodstock NY, in front of a live audience. In Mali, “Samba, means second child and has the meaning of being strong and courageous.

As the pandemic flooded the world in 2020, various industries needed to close, and music wasn’t a necessity. With a lot of free time, Vieux began working on the album, titled “Les Racines.” Touching deeper into his traditional Malian roots, the songs were a dedication to his country. He wanted to educate and uplift the community, through the Songhai traditional style. It has the same upliftment worldwide.

Since the release of his 2007, debut album, Vieux has recorded a host of amazing authentic albums and has collaborated with an array of recognized musicians.
Travelling the world, from year to year, Touré performs in some of the biggest festivals worldwide, alongside his own shows, many of which sell out fast.

Vieux Farke Toure, has made his mark as a top Malian global artist.
Rising from a legend, he has created a richly authentic sound, capturing audiences, with his hypnotic rhythms & melodies. A rich musical storyteller, there is a lot more to come from the Malian superstar.

Vieux established a charity by the name of “AMAHREC SAHEL, a humanitarian aid, created to help people in need, particularly children.

Havana White ©