The trio’s name translates as Guitar Conversations, but in reality it is a timeless dialogue across centuries. When European guitars reached West Africa nearly a hundred years ago, unique playing styles began to emerge. African musicians transferred to the guitar fretboard melodies that had previously been played on the balafon—a melodic percussion instrument considered a predecessor of the xylophone, whose origins date back as far as the 13th century.

In the trio, Lassana Diabaté plays the balafon. He has performed with numerous elite ensembles and has also collaborated on projects with the avant-garde Kronos Quartet. Gaoussou Kouyaté plays acoustic guitar, drawing inspiration from the desert blues of Ali Farka Touré, while “Petit” Kerfala Diabaté alternates between electric and acoustic guitar, citing Carlos Santana and Cameroonian jazz great Richard Bona among his influences.

The project is the realization of a dream shared by two musical visionaries. Dudu Sarr is the agent of Senegal’s most prominent singer, Youssou N’Dour, while Lucy Durán of London is a university professor and an experienced producer whose three albums have received Grammy nominations. The 55-year-old balafon virtuoso Lassana Diabaté was her first choice—not only because of his experience, but also because of his ability to transcend genres. David Harrington, leader of the California-based Kronos Quartet, even compared Lassana to Johann Sebastian Bach—and it was no cheap metaphor. Harrington was fascinated by Lassana’s sophisticated counterpoint, which he created on the balafon in real time during improvisation. The combination of guitars and balafon also highlights another compelling contrast. While the guitar—both worldwide and in Africa—is one of the most widespread instruments, the balafon stands undeservedly in its shadow within African music. Yet it is precisely the virtuoso players of this instrument who bring extraordinary energy to recordings. This energy springs from two sources: on the one hand, rhythmic cycles; on the other, melodies played at breathtaking speed, unfolding in transparent, feather-light tonal colors that no other instrument can rival.