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 Currently in production: The Balafon with Aly Keita and Gert Kilian The Salon de Musique team filmed the first DVD method for playing the Balafon with Aly Keita (Mali) and Gert Kilian (Germany) during the week of the 10th October 2006. Here are some pictures in anticipation of the forthcoming DVD package.  Programme: • Holding the sticks • Tuning the Balafon • Detailed apprenticeship for playing 5 traditional Balafon themes Pentatonic in F# minor or A • Karaoke, to play along with Aly Keita ! • Concert in Duo of the 5 themes • Solo Concert by Aly Subscribe to our newsletter and we will keep you informed. Aly Keita Aly Keita was born in 1969 in Mali. His Malinké parents come from a long line of griots. He studied the traditional pentatonic balafon under Zouratié Coulibaly in Mali. From 1986 onwards, he learned to play jazz with the musician Georges Makinto and built his own diatonic balafon, giving him access to new repertoires. His jazz playing experience gave him the opportunity to produce his own music successfully in Africa, Europe and the USA. Then he adapted the balafon for other musical languages, which led him to take part in international meetings.  He played with such prestigious musicians as Pharoah Sanders, Joe Zaniwul, Rhoda Scott and Camel Zekri. The Centre de Formation et de Promotion Musicales de Niamey in Niger asked him to run workshops to teach traditional and modern music between 1989 and 1995. He then started teaching the balafon at the National Superior Institute of Arts and Cultural Affairs (INSAAC) in Abidjan. He recorded disks with Georges Makinto (1992), groups like Béta Foly (1996), African Project (1998), and Hans Lüdemann/Trio Ivoire, and recorded for albums by Paco Séry and Manu Solo.  Aly Keita takes part in many festivals. For the “Y’a pas son deux” initiative Aly Keita made the largest balafon in the world for the Ingénieuse Afrique festival held at Tarascon sur Ariège in France, in 1999. He makes his own instruments and gives regular solo concerts. |
 Gert Kilian A general percussionist, he is one of the promoters of the Balafon in Europe. Gert Kilian has recorded many albums with OREXIS, DRUMPACT, ARGILE, LES ZOULOUSAINS, LOVE BREEZE and LOOPING. Playing with his DRUMPACT percussion group, he was awarded the German Record Prize in 1978. He has spent many years researching music in Papua-New Guinea, India and Africa. He is the author of the “Balafon Beat” method for the balafon and percussion ensemble. published by Éditions Zimmermann. Websites http://www.gert-kilian.com www.percussions.org http://percussions.org/article.php?t=2054 http://www.marimbalafon.com  Gert Kilian  |
