The government of Mali, in collaboration with the Ali Farka Touré Foundation, will organise an international festival in honour of the Grammy-winning Malian music star, Ali Farka Toure, who died in March 2006, organisers said. The festival, dubbed ”Jammal Poi”, will be held on 6-9 November 2008 in Niafunké, central Mali, with conferences, symposiums and huge concerts. Among the African and world music stars expected at the festival are Carlos Santana, Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, Tracy Chapman, BB King, Bonnie Raitt, Marcus James, Oumou Sangaré, Salif Keïta, Angélique Kidjo, Ray Léma, and Baba Maal. Ali Farka Foundation aims to perpetuate the work of the late Malian music star. During his lifetime, Ali Farka Touré produced several albums, including Talking Timbuktu, which won a Grammy Award.
