Aly Keïta Trio — Vibraphonissimo, Schwabach, 2025

A live concert by the Aly Keïta Trio at the Vibraphonissimo festival in Schwabach, Germany, on January 23, 2025 (first set). A Malian virtuoso of the chromatic balafon, Aly Keïta — winner of the German Jazz Prize in 2022 — sets West African rhythms in dialogue with jazz improvisation in a tight trio. Backed by bassist Roberto Badoglio and drummer-percussionist Marcel van Cleef, he unfurls original compositions such as « Beaux-Matin », « Adjame Street », « Dreams of Mikael » and « Farafinko ». Between Mandingo trance, groove and harmonic freedom, the set illustrates the contemporary evolution of a traditional instrument pushed toward new horizons. This filmed live performance conveys the precision of a hall concert and the rapport of a seasoned trio. A valuable full set for fans of world music and cross-pollinated jazz, documenting the stage of a rare artist, filmed live at a German festival devoted to mallet instruments. An ideal gateway to the live balafon and the bridges between Africa and jazz.