Reuters — Like many people, Malian musician Salif Keita first became aware he was different when he started school. His skin was white; all the other kids were black. more info

Chicago Tribune — Malian singer Salif Keita’s voice can waver over astounding stretches, especially in flights when he seems like he’s at his most vulnerable. This vibrato derived, in part, from a chore he had to do while he was growing up near the Niger River in ... more info

Guardian Music — Artists will cross the UK by train in September for a concert series featuring music from Europe, America and AfricaTony Allen, Rizzle Kicks, Carl Barât and electronic wunderkind Nicolas Jaar are among the acts to have now climbed aboard the Africa ... more info

Guardian Music — Baaba Maal, Damon Albarn and Bombay Bicycle are among the lineup of musicians who will tour the UK by train in SeptemberReading this on mobile? Click her to view videoThe collective of African and western musicians known as Africa Express has reveale... more info

Guardian Music — Faouzi Skali founded Morocco's spiritual music festival, a haven of peace among the bloodshed across the Arab worldThe Moroccan philanthropist Faouzi Skali founded the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in 1994. For the past 12 years the programme ha... more info

Guardian Music — If soulful stuff is what you're after, here are the best jazz fests taking place this summer up and down the countryBluesFestWhen 26 June-6 JulyWhere Various venues in London and ManchesterWhat Performers bring out the blues in their musicWho Nick Lo... more info

Guardian Music — Barbican, LondonAfrican musicians have long been fascinated by Cuban styles, but here was a rousing demonstration of what can happen when a great Cuban pianist becomes obsessed with Africa. "The first album I ever heard was Salif Keita's Soro," said ... more info

Guardian Music — It takes years of training for opera singers to master their art. But would those skills help or hinder in singing pop songs? And what about the other way round?I remember hearing the great Malian singer Salif Keita for the first time in 1980. Joy Di... more info

Guardian Music — (Sony Music) I've always been a little suspicious of albums consisting entirely of duets – it seems like an easy way of reworking a back catalogue, and doesn't always sustain for a full set – but this one is different. Evora is the one of the mos... more info

Guardian Music — Stars team up for Prayer Cycle 2: Path to Zero, a benefit record that also features a cameo from late Doors singer Jim MorrisonSting, Sinéad O'Connor, Robert Downey Jr and, er, Korn's Jonathan Davis are among the contributors to a new album of "wor... more info