Presented by Small World Music and Batuki Music

Experience an intimate dialogue of West African song as Guinea-Bissau’s Kimi Djabaté and Mauritanian-Senegalese artist Daby Touré share a single stage.

Making his Toronto debut, Lisbon-based Djabaté weaves Afro-Portuguese melodies into the ancient griot and balafon traditions of his homeland. He is joined by Touré, whose cosmopolitan palate of desert blues, reggae, folk and soul, reflects a life journey through Mauritania, Senegal, Montreal and Paris. The evening unfolds in layers: evocative solo sets that eventually merge into a rare, unhurried collaboration—a genuine musical conversation between two masters of their craft.

About the Artists:

Born in Mauritania and raised in Senegal, Daby Touré spent 25 years in Paris before recently settling in Montreal. Though he hails from the musical lineage of the pioneering band Toure Kunda, Touré has carved a distinct path that blends African folk and desert blues with jazz, pop, reggae, and soul. An explorer at heart, his catchy songwriting resonates as much with fans of Youssou N’Dour as it does with followers of Paul Simon or Stevie Wonder. He has collaborated with global icons including Peter Gabriel, Souad Massi, and The Touré-Raichel Collective.

Hailing from Guinea-Bissau and now based in Lisbon, Kimi Djabaté is a talented guitarist, percussionist, and balafón master. A descendant of the griot tradition, Djabaté has collaborated with legends like Mory Kanté and recently featured on Madonna’s single "Ciao Bella." On his album, Dindin, he bridges his heritage with the modern world, blending Afro-Portuguese rhythms with Afrobeat, desert blues, and Afro-Latin swing. The result is a sophisticated tapestry of sound that explores both intimate family tributes and universal themes of love and human connection.





Doors open at 7:30 PM

The 2026 Small World Music Series is sponsored by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment and funded by the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.