Like Bela Fleck, Toumani Diabate is also a virtuoso. His instrument is the kora, which he describes as a cross between a lute and a harp.

“You know, the story of the kora is original, and is my family histories [for] 71 generations: from father to son, father to son, father to son,” Diabate says. “The kora was a gift from God to me.”

Sitting facing the instrument, Diabate played a solo improvisation for the kora.

“When you play [it], it’s like talking to a woman, you know?” he says. “The kora was played in the royal court, for the kings and the warriors. And normally the man plays and the woman sings. And he can be playing it for the weddings … people join, people [are] happy. But it’s a real spiritual instrument, and a magic one.”…

Toumani Diabate is playing on both Saturday and Sunday at LPR.