RY COODER - ALI FARKA TOURE DIES

Legendary African musician ALI FARKA TOURE has died following a long illness. He was 66. Toure, who last month (FEB06) won his second Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album alongside TOUMANI DIABATE for IN THE HEART OF THE MOON, passed away in Mali capital Bamako. He will be buried in his hometown of Niafunke tomorrow (08MAR06). Radio stations in Bamako have been playing Toure's music non-stop in tribute to the late musician. Toure, who was born in Timbuktu in 1939, once served as mayor of Bamako. He first won a Grammy for his 1994 album with American guitarist RY COODER, TALKING TIMBUKTU.