Baaba Maal

Considering his status as one of West Africa’s most important and compelling musicians, it’s ironic that Baaba Maal wasn’t born into the traditional griot musician’s caste of his native Senegal. But he’s earned his fame as both a preserver of traditional music and a leading force in its evolution and fusion with styles from the African diaspora, including reggae, hip-hop, and American soul. More to the point, Maal’s an impressively talented performer, possessed of a sweet (if slightly nasal) voice that’s granted him the nickname “The Nightingale.” He’ll be touring with his friend and longtime collaborator, the blind guitarist Mansour Seck, and the band from his 2001 disc Missing You, a lovely acoustic work recorded in the night air of a small rural Senegalese village. 416 Cedar Ave S., Minneapolis; (612) 338-2674; www.thecedar.org