Vieux Farka Touré was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981. Son of the late, beloved, legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Touré, Vieux has become one of the world's most celebrated guitarists.
Initially a drummer / calabash player at Mali’s Institut National des Arts, Vieux secretly began playing guitar in 2001. In the intervening decade and a half, Vieux has gone on to tour the world and record numerous albums to great acclaim.
In June 2022, Touré released his sixth solo album, Les Racines, on World Circuit Records. Les Racines translates to 'the roots', a nod to the album returning to the desert blues roots of Touré's father. The album was recorded in Touré's home studio in Bamako and features a number of Malian musicians such as Amadou Bagayoko from Amadou & Mariam, Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté, and Madou Traore.
In September 2022, Vieux collaborated with Khruangbin to release an album of reinterpretations of some of his father's songs called Ali.
PRESS
"Vieux’s dazzling guitar prowess has earned him the sobriquet “the Hendrix of the Sahara”. Samba is a wide-ranging set which takes in the deep reggae groove of “Ouaga” and the more flamenco-like complexity of “Samba Si Kaire”, a graceful song about the guitarist’s parents … The griot tribute-songs extend from close family to his extended cultural family, specifically fellow musicians persecuted by jihadist invaders in Northern Mali, their suffering acknowledged in the blizzard of skirling guitar that illuminates “Homafu Wawa”.“
✭✭✭✭ The Independent
"Vieux Farka Touré takes us to the sacred heart of rock n roll."
The Arts Desk
"This is the devotional, earthy soul of Mali, channeled through a six-string electric guitar."
Monolith Cocktail
"From album to album, Vieux Farka Touré is one of the most respected guitarists and musicians in the world. Each of his projects is praised both by critics and by the public. This new opus, a hybrid and inventive disc recorded in studio and in front of an audience, confirms the extent of his talent."
ICI Musique, CBC