Mali America Music

A Friendship Reconnected Across the Atlantic

Lindsey Schust and Papa Zani Diabaté first met and began collaborating in the late 1990s. Though their lives eventually placed them on opposite sides of the Atlantic—Lindsey in New England and Papa Zani in Bamako—their musical bond never faded. In 2022, they reconnected through video calls and online collaboration, leading to the creation of the Mali America Music Project.

This transatlantic project blends traditional Malian music with modern influences such as salsa, blues, reggae, and jazz, while remaining firmly rooted in cultural respect and shared history. The music stands as a living testament to the legacies of Zani Diabaté, Babatunde Olatunji, and the enduring traditions of Malian music. For more info visit: www.maliamericamusic.com