ALY KEÏTA TRIO «Balafon Evolution» One World Records Album Release Concert Special Guest: Mariam Koné Feat: Marcel van Cleef-Roberto Badoglio On his new album, the Ivorian balafon virtuoso Aly Keïta explores new horizons for his instrument in improvised music. Together with his Berlin-based trio, he conquers the peaks of balafon possibilities one by one, wandering between groovy African rhythms, spectacular polyphony and elements of jazz, and combining them into a fusion that is both futuristic and deeply in roots. In Balafon Evolution, Keïta establishes a new level of balafon artistry, creating universal, contemporary soundscapes that transcend cultural boundaries. The Aly Keïta Trio embodies the pulsating spirit of the Berlin jazz scene. Coming from different cultural backgrounds, the three musicians found a common language on stage as they explored the metropole, one of the most active, buzzing jazz hubs of Europe. Aly Keïta and the Dutch drummer Marcel van Cleef, began playing together in 2008, forming the core of the trio’s future „groove machine“. As a part of the „Aly Keïta and Magic Balafon“ formation, they shared a prize of the Global music contest „Creole“ in 2009. Recognised as one of the most intriguing and innovative bass players among the new generation, the Italian bass player Roberto Badoglio, joined trio in 2014, becoming a true „fusion reactor“ of the band. Aly Keïta was born in Abidjan and inherited balafon art from his father, who was a Mandingo Griot. After moving to his grandmother’s village in Mali, together with his younger brother, he continued learning their family tradition, building and playing balafons. In the age on 18 Keïta’s virtuosity has became famous far beyond Africa and the young musician started touring around the world, mastering a new for him music language – jazz – and performing with some of the best artists of our time. Following the footsteps of maestro Kélétiguy Diabaté, Aly became the first who made this instrument chromatic and the one who first brought balafon, usually accompanying percussive instrument, to the front of the stage as a soloist. His acoustic, technic and visual innovations became standard for younger generations of balafonists. Aly Keїta won the German Jazz Award 2022. Mariam Koné, born April 1987 in Kati/Mali, is a Malian singer and music teacher and a member of the supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique. Koné has studied law, but she was swept away by music. In her teens, she joined the hip hop group Pacifique in her home town, releasing two albums with them. Later she studied music in the Bamako Conservatory, from which she graduated in 2011. She now teaches herself in this school. Koné’s first solo album Dakan was released in 2013. Its style is soft flowing traditional African pop, with dub influences and electric instrumentation. It was produced by the Irishman Liam Farrell a.k.a. Doctor L. Koné was invited to Les Amazones d’Afrique by Pamela Badjoko, originally from Gabon but now residing in Mali. Koné was drawn to the group by the fact that it tries to further the cause of local women, opposing all kinds of violence against women, and especially female genital mutilation.

Line-Up:

Aly Keïta – Balafon, Kalimba, Vocal / Arrangements & Compositions

Marcel van Cleef – Drums/Percussions

Roberto Badoglio – E-Bass

Special Guest: Mariam Koné – Vocals