Samba Touré plays the Ali Farka Touré songbook

Malian guitarist Samba Touré returns to Grounds for a special concert celebrating the musical legacy of his mentor, desert blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré.

Touré began his career as lead singer of Farafina Lolo, where his talent caught Ali Farka Touré’s attention. Under his guidance, Samba moved towards more traditional Malian music and developed into one of West Africa’s leading guitarists. Twenty years after Ali Farka Touré’s death, he now revisits that connection through music.

Joined by Djimé Sissoko on ngoni and tamani and Souleymane Kane on calabash, Samba Touré performs both well-known pieces and lesser-heard material from Ali Farka Touré’s songbook. Rather than reproducing the originals note for note, the trio brings its own character to the music while preserving the hypnotic rhythms and guitar language associated with desert blues.

After the concert, DJ Caliente keeps the evening going with a mix ranging from samba and reggae to music from the Sahara.

Details

Event: Samba Touré: Ali Farka Touré Songbook
Date: Saturday 17 October 2026
Doors open: 20:00
Start: 21:00
Location: Grounds, Rotterdam
Address: Pieter de Hoochweg 125, 3024 BG Rotterdam
Early bird: €17.50
Advance: €20 + €1 service fee
Door: €22.50
Rotterdampas: €11.25
Genre: Desert blues, Malian music, African blues
Afterparty: DJ Caliente

Line-up: Samba Touré, guitar and vocals; Djimé Sissoko, ngoni and tamani; Souleymane Kane, calabash.