Toumani Diabaté and Kayhan Kalhor

[CallMePaul]

Anyone who, like me, has booked for concerts by this duo needs to know that Toumani Diabaté has "withdrawn from all 25 European and UK concerts scheduled in 2017/18" (letter sent me by RNCM on Friday, received this morning. If you have booked for these concerts you will instead hear a solo recital by Kalhor.
I have tried to find out why Diabaté has withdrawn but a quick online search has drawn a blank. His website toumani-diabate.com appears to be down. If he or a family member is ill then I wish him/ them a speedy recovery. I sincerely hope that there have been no visa or work permit issues - as he has made several visits both to UK and Schengen area countries this seems unlikely, but one never knows!
If anyone knows any more then perhaps they can post it. I did notice that bookings are still being taken for a number of concerts in continental venues.

[CallMePaul]

More info - I have found out that Toumani Diabaté is playing a concert in Paris when he was contracted to play in Manchester: https://www.bandsintown.com/e/199979...&came_from=267.
In my book this is a disgraceful turn of events and the RNCM should sue Diabaté and his management for breach of contract. If the change is due to visa/ work permit issues then the Home Office needs to explain itself quickly. If he simply chose a more lucrative date then he should be ashamed of himself and I will have to consider whether I listen to his music again. This would be a pity as he is one of a handful of outstanding kora virtuosi.

[Globaltruth]

I've had the pleasure of seeing him a few times and completely agree - an outstanding performer on the kora.

To simply cancel without an explanation is very poor.

Thanks for posting TP, v. useul - please do share any more info. I've done some quick Googling but can't find any more information.