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. 

1. Adjame Street
2. Marie Dance
3. Yélé Kura
4. Mandingo Galaxy
5. Mogo-Sobé
6. Farafinko
7. Balafon Evolution
8. Dreams of Mikaël
9. Peace in the World