Just an hour before they were expected on stage at the Montreux Jazz Festival, two-time Grammy award winning kora player and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, Toumani Diabaté and his talented son Sidiki sat down to talk music, diversity, zero discrimination and ending AIDS in West and Central Africa. 

Gentle and thoughtful, Toumani answered the questions with warmth and good humour, and in true global fashion the conversation flowed between English, French and Bambara. There is clearly a lot of respect between father and son as traditions are passed down and innovation encouraged. Their banter was light-hearted as Toumani advised Sidiki to sit up straighter and look into the camera while Sidiki offered more modern takes to his father’s answers.

UNAIDS: You are here to perform with Lamomali, a musical collaboration with French artist Matthieu Chedid. You have more than 15 people with you on stage including the likes of Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara. How did this come together?

Toumani: Part of the griot tradition of historians, storytellers and musicians, I have always wanted to be involved. My fathers, all my family from a 700-year-old dynasty, we come from this atmosphere, we are born into this and we are the archive of culture in our country.

Beautiful music brings people together and breaks down barriers like in Lamomali. The world needs to be more open and be more helpful and we need more communication. That is the only way that things can be better in the future.

UNAIDS: Recently the African Union endorsed a catch up plan for West and Central Africa to accelerate access to HIV services.  What are your hopes for the region? 

Toumani: Clearly, we cannot accept a two-speed approach to ending AIDS in Africa.  We don’t have a moment to lose, we have the tools and must work together to end AIDS.

UNAIDS: Tonight, you are going to wear a red ribbon during the concert. What does it mean to you?

Toumani: Life, it is just life, love and solidarity.

During the high-energy performance, which celebrated both the traditional and the new—Toumani spoke about his role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador and highlighted the importance of zero discrimination. He shared a proverb from his native Mali:

If you know you do not know, you’ll know.

If you do not know you do not know, you’ll never know.

If you do know, make it known.

This speaks to Toumani’s role both as griot and Ambassador. He knows the importance of celebrating diversity and dignity and making zero discrimination a reality for all. Through his vibrant music and his messages, he is making it known.