Vieux Farka Touré hails from music royalty in Africa: his father was legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré. Early on, however, Vieux Farka Touré emerged from his father's shadow to assert his own six-string style. His eponymous debut CD was released in 2006 with the support of his father, who passed away in the same year, and master kora player Toumani Diabaté. Vieux Farka Touré has successfully made the bridge between the Mali blues tradition and sonorities closer to rock and reggae. His 2011 album The Secret was well-received by the critics. 2012's The Tel Aviv Sessions was recorded with Israeli pianist Idan Raichel.