to tour and record new material. Dieng was replaced by his son, Alpha Dieng. Under Balla Sidibé's leadership, they released Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng on 31 March 2017. The album features Beninese guitarist René Sowatche as Attisso's replacement and, for the first time, the band incorporates a kora player, Abdoulaye Cissoko. There are also appearances of ex-member Thione Seck and popular singer Cheikh Lô. The album release was accompanied by a world tour with concerts in played in the UK, France and Norway. As the band approached its 50th anniversary, its key members passed away. Issa Cissoko died in March 2019 at the age of 72, while Balla Sidibé died in July 2020, aged 78. Despite the loss of both of its leaders, Orchestra Baobab decided to continue, with longtime saxophonist Thierno Koité as its new director. Former lead singer Thione Seck (aged 66) and former guitarist Barthélémy Attisso (aged 76) both died in 2021. Rudy Gomis suffered from severe meningitis in October 2016 and went into a coma. He fully recovered in 2020, but died at the age of 75 in April 2022. Awards After being separated for 15 years Orchestra Baobab reunited in 2001. The reunited group went on to win the award for best African artists and the critics' choice award at the 2003 BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. The group won both awards for Specialist in All Styles, their first album since their split in 1987. In winning the Best African Artists award Orchestra Baobab beat the African musicians Kassé Mady Diabaté and Tony Allen. Discography This list includes all the studio albums by Orchestra Baobab, with label information to identify the original issues. As usual in Africa, most cassettes were released with no label or catalog number. Orchestre Laye Thiam / Orchestre Saf Mounadem (1970, Ibrahim Kassé 3026) Orchestre du Baobab (1971, Baobab BAO 1) Orchestre du Baobab (1972, Baobab BAO 2) Orchestre Baobab '75''' (1975, Buur BRLP 001) Guy Gu Rey Gi (1975, Buur BRLP 002) Senegaal sunugaal (1975, Buur BRLP 003) Visage du Senegal (1975, Buur BRLP 004) Aduna jarul naawoo (1976, Buur BRLP 005) N'Deleng N'Deleng (1977, Musicafrique MSCLP 001) Une nuit au Jandeer (1978, Musicafrique MSCLP 002) Baobab à Paris Vol. 1: On verra ça (1978, Ledoux ASL 7001) Baobab à Paris Vol. 2: Africa 78 (1978, Ledoux ASL 7002) Mohamadou Bamba (1981, Jambaar JM 5000) Sibou odia (1981, Jambaar