Aly Keïta

Aly Keïta is a balafon virtuoso, composer, bandleader and solo performer from the Ivory Coast, based in Berlin since 2002. Winner of the German Jazz Award 2022 in the category "Special Instruments".

He played with Joe Zawinul, Paco Séry, Omar Sosa, Rhoda Scott, Pharoah Sanders, Paolo Fresu, L. Subramaniam, Trilok Gurtu, Jan Garbarek, to name just a few. Among African stars Aly collaborated with Cheick Tidiane Seck, Fatoumata Diawara, Amadou & Mariam, Dobeh Gnahore, Ali Boulo Santi Cissoko, Karim Ziad, Habib Koite, Majid Bekkas and many others.

Aly Keïta was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. His father was a Mandinka griot, who introduced Aly to the balafon tradition in his early childhood, and soon Aly became a griot himself.

His virtuosity became known far beyond Africa, and young musician began touring the world. He now lives in Berlin, plays in different projects in Germany and outside, combining the old Mandinka tradition and modern European jazz with impressive drive and creativity.

In the music of his Berlin trio featuring Marcel van Cleef from Netherlands and Roberto Badoglio from Italy, Aly wanders between spectacular African rhythms, polyphony and the elements of jazz, which is both futuristic and deeply set in its roots.

Currently the trio is working on the release of the album "Balafon Evolution", which changes the role of the balafon, known as the griot instrument of West Africa, into a universal modern instrument, actual to the contemporary music achievements.

“I want my music to be alive and full of energy, hope and love, music that I can share with the audience and through which the audience and I can share our joy.”

For his virtuosity and innovations in balafon music, Aly Keïta has become known as the King of the Balafon.