The legendary Malian guitarist and bandleader Zani Diabaté has died on January 4, 2011 in Paris, France. Zani became known as a dancer and multi-instrumentalist with the Ballet National du Mali in the 1960s (see photo on the right). In the late 1960s, while with the Ballet, he founded the Super Djata Band together with fellow Ballet members Daouda 'Flani' Sangaré and Alou Fané. For three decades he was the leader of this band from Bamako. At the end of the 1990s he withdrew as leader, leaving the band to his son and the next generation. And from 2000 he accepted the post as director of the Ballet National, while he remained active as a recording artist. On December 9, 2010, while entering a studio in Paris, France, to continue recording with his son and with the son of the late Daouda Sangaré, Zani suffered a stroke and was rushed to hospital. Initial reports were that he died almost instantly, but later on it was reported that he was in coma after having suffered massive brain injury. It has since been confirmed that he has passed away.

May his soul rest in peace.