Vieux Farka Touré with Gitkin

Doors: 8 PM Show: 9 PM 21+ *Standing in stage room* *Dinners available before show in back bar room* Vieux Farka Touré, often called “The Hendrix of the Sahara,” was born in Niafunké, Mali, in 1981 as the son of legendary guitarist Ali Farka Touré. Although his father initially discouraged him from pursuing music because of the hardships musicians faced, Vieux eventually earned his blessing with the help of family friend and kora master Toumani Diabaté. Originally trained as a drummer at Mali’s Institut National des Arts, Vieux secretly began playing guitar in 2001 and later recorded tracks with his father shortly before Ali’s death in 2006. These recordings appeared on Vieux’s self-titled 2007 debut album, which honored his father’s musical legacy while introducing his own talent. Over the years, Vieux developed a distinctive sound that blended traditional Malian desert blues with rock, Latin, and other African influences, earning worldwide acclaim through albums such as Fondo, The Secret, and Mon Pays. Known for his electrifying live performances, extraordinary guitar skills, and charismatic stage presence, he has established himself as one of the leading musicians of his generation. Throughout his career, Vieux has collaborated with artists from around the world, including Idan Raichel, Dave Matthews, Derek Trucks, John Scofield, and the band Khruangbin. His collaborative projects, including The Tel Aviv Session, The Paris Session, and Ali, received international praise for bridging cultures through music. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vieux recorded Les Racines, a return to the deep roots of desert blues that further cemented his reputation as an innovative artist. Beyond music, he is also deeply committed to humanitarian work in Mali. In 2012, he founded the charity Amahrec Sahel, which supports education, orphanages, and young musicians, and he serves as director of The Ali Farka Touré Foundation, dedicated to preserving his father’s legacy and promoting Malian culture.