Salif Keïta

Biographie

Born in Djoliba, on the Niger River, Salif Keïta descends from Soundiata Keïta, founder of the Empire of Mali. He reached albinism, leaving his village for Bamako, singing with the Rail Band on the buffet of the station, then founding the Ambassadors and recording Mandjou (1978). Located in Paris in 1984, he became with Soro (1987) the "golden voice of Africa". From Moffou to So Kono (2025), an acoustic album recorded in Japan, he has constantly carried the Mandingue music on the largest scenes in the world, while defending the cause of people with albinism.

Distinctions and benchmarks

['The Victoire de la musique 2010 pour La Diférence (best album of world music)', "Founder of the Salif Keita Global Foundation for people with albinism (2005)", 'Concerts filmed by Qwest TV (Jazz in Vienna, 2021) and WDR / ARTE (Leverkusen, 20204']

Discographie

['Mandjou (with International Ambassadors, 1978)', 'Soro (1987)', 'Moffou (2002)', 'La Difference (2009)', 'Another White (2018)', 'So Kono (2025)']

On the Poster — Festivals

• 2021 — Jazz in Vienna, Théâtre Antique : Festival opening concert — filmed and broadcast by Qwest TV — See the festival entry
• 2024 — Leverkusener Jazztage, Leverkusen Forum: In concert for the festival's 45th anniversary — WDR/ARTE recording — See the festival entry

See also

In our articles

Performing formats

• Concert — main stage
• Festival — headliner