Toumani Diabate, Prince of the Kora, was born in Bamako, Mali. From a very long line of griots, he is a member of the 71st generation of kora players in his family. A virtuoso on the instrument, a 21-string harp/lute particular to West Africa, he started playing at five years old.

"The griot's role is making communication between people, but not just historical communication. In Mali, I can work the traditional way. In America, I can work a different way. I can play with Taj Mahal, or Ketama, or Japanese musicians. Why not?"