African Roots and Rhythms: Aly Keïta (Ivory Coast)

The balafon is one of my favorite instruments, and since the death of Mali’s Kélétigui Diabaté, I hadn’t found another great master of the instrument. Until now. The music of Aly Keïta just blows me away and may be taking the place of Issa Bagayogo as my desert island disc pick. I’m late to the party here, as he recorded his magnificent debut in 2007.

Urban Lys Photos

Keïta was born in Abidjan to a griot family and was taught to play the balafon by his father. What makes him such a unique player is not just his speed and precision, but in taking the instrument itself to another level. He makes his own balafons, and although traditionally it is tuned to the pentatonic scale, he created one on the seven-tone diatonic scale, meaning they are better able to handle the complex melodies and harmonies he favors. There are times when it sounds almost like a piano. He frequently plays two at the same time.

From Aly Keïta’s Facebook page

Keïta currently lives in Berlin, where it is easier to tour and where he teaches balafon at the Global Music Academy. He is involved in various projects, which fuse Afrofunk, Afropop, jazz and traditional rhythms. Currently, he is on tour with Habib Koité, Lamine Cissokho and Mama Koné as part of the Mandé Sila project. He has collaborated with some amazing artists in his projects, such as Dobet Gnahoré, Omar Sosa, Pharoah Sanders, Amadou & Mariam, Gangbe Brass Band and Joe Zawinul.

From Aly Keïta’s Facebook page

These are all from the amazing Akwaba Iniséné release. If there is music in heaven, I hope it is this.

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This is from the title song from the Farafinko release.

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This is from the Resurrection release with Trio Ivoire.

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These are from his Mandé Sila project.

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This is a very cool video that showcases not only how brilliant a player he is, but also how he makes his own balafon!

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For more information about Aly Keïta, including tour dates, go to his website at alykeitabalafon.com