Ali Farka Toure, one of Africa's most famous musicians, has died following a long illness at his home in Mali. The musician, a pioneer of Mali Blues, won two grammys, one this year for 'In The Heart Of The Moon', a collaboration with fellow Malian Toumani Diabate, and one for 'Talking Timbuktu', his 1994 collaboration with Ry Cooder. During the course of his career he worked with a number of American blues artists but always maintained that his style came from the traditional music from the north of his own home country, rather than from a US influence.
Toure, who was in his late 60s, died in the Malian capital, Bamako, but will be buried today in his northern home town of Niafunke.