Balafon Evolution
Futurism with strong roots
Aly Keïta, deeply rooted in his people’s heritage, explores new horizons of balafon's possibilities in improvised music. Together with his Berlin-based trio he wanders between groovy African rhythms, spectacular polyphony and elements of jazz, combining them into a fusion which is both futuristic and deeply set in roots.
The album of Aly Keïta Trio "Balafon Evolution" changes the role of the balafon, known as a traditional instrument of West Africa, into a universal modern instrument. Bringing the art of balafon to the new level, this recording reflects innovations of the actual global music.
The album will be released on 6 March 2026
at One World Records
BALAFON EVOLUTION:
Music ©by Aly Keïta.
Arranged by Aly Keïta (Except “Adjame Street”, “Mandingo Galaxy”, “Balafon Evolution”
Arranged ©by Aly Keïta Trio).
Produced by Aly Keïta, Carolina Vallejo, Olha Kovalevska.
Recorded at GREVE STUDIO and NAGELSTUDIO (“Mogo Sobe”), Berlin, Germany.
Recording Engineer Volker Greve, Johann Niegl (“Mogo Sobe”).
Premix Marcel van Cleef.
Final mixage Daniel Boivin.
Mastered by Tom Leader.
Executive production Carolina Vallejo.
© One World Records 2026
LINE UP:
Aly Keïta (Balafons, Kalimba, Voice)
Marcel van Cleef (Drums)
Roberto Badoglio (E-Bass)
Mariam Koné (Voice) (in “Mogo Sobe”)
Management:
URBAN LYS music Agency, Olha Kovalevska
Photography, design: Urban Lys
Album cover - to be presented together with the release.
ALY KEÏTA TRIO:
Aly Keïta - balafon
Marcel Van Cleef - drums
Roberto Badoglio - bass
Aly Keïta Trio
Coming from different cultural backgrounds, the three musicians found a common language on stage as they explored this one of the most active jazz hubs of Europe.
Aly Keïta (CI) and Marcel van Cleef (NL) 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.
The Aly Keïta Trio embodies the pulsating spirit of the Berlin jazz scene.
Aside from constant touring with trio and "Magic Balafon", Marcel van Cleef teaches, runs workshops, representing the "Odery" drum brand, and performs with various other projects.
Roberto Badoglio joined trio in 2014. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and has won numerous prestigious music competitions in his homeland of Italy. Experimenting with 5 and 6 string basses and various pedals, Roberto is a true "fusion reactor" of the trio.
Aly Keїta Management & Booking
"Urban Lys" music agency
Olha Kovalevska