GUO GAN , ALY KEITA
Peace in the world

FY 8243

885016824327
Felmay Records

 

An extraordinary duo: the poetry of the Chinese erhu sound mixes with the dynamic rhythm of the African balafon. CD program mainly includes original songs, composed for the occasion by the two artists, which enhance the characteristics of the two instruments. Balafon, generates a rhythmic-melodic support erhu lyrical flights, which creates the atmosphere full of naturalistic charm.
With over two thousand concerts to his credit GUO GAN and his elegant virtuosity they have ferried the erhu the Chinese tradition to share with other musical cultures of the world.


GUO GAN, erhu master (Central Asian Chinese violin with two strings) who became ambassador of his instrument in the world, has over the years become accustomed to unusual and unexpected encounters. Mysterious instruments, sometimes even more exotic than Chinese erhu, sources of ancestral sounds, rich in contemporary fascinations able to contextualize in a unique way not only original compositions, but also the classic songs of the Chinese tradition. This time the GUO GAN exploration has shifted in the southern hemisphere, specifically in West Africa, to meet ALY KEITA, balafon master. One of the most important tools and characterizing of West African music, the balafon is a typical instrument of the griot tradition. They are storytellers, poets, singers and keepers of the oral tradition of that area. CD program mainly includes original songs, composed by the two artists for the occasion, which enhance the characteristics of the two instruments. Balafon generates a rhythmic-melodic support to erhu lyrical flights, which creates an atmosphere rich in naturalistic charm. Born in Shenyang, China, in a family of artists, GUO GAN since childhood was passionate for music. At the age of four years, he started with his father, Guo JunMing (Famous Chinese Master); he was his father's apprentice in learning the art of the erhu, an old Chinese stringed instrument. In 2001, GUO GAN decided to cross borders and to travel to Paris to extend his musical experiences in perfecting his technique of percussion with the professor Marc Vives Quérol. Since then, he makes Chinese music known to the Western world, collaborating with many important artists: Lang Lang. Hans Zimmer. Gabrel Yared, Yvan Cassar, Didier Lockwood, Jean-François Zygel. The Artist has also participated in the registration of many movies soundtracks.
GUO GAN, was awarded the Insignia of Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Embassy in China, 25/04/2016, for his contributions for cultural exchanges and creations crossed between musicians both French and Chinese.
As indicated in the Embassy of France, the Order of Arts and Letters, managed by the ministry of culture and communication of the French Republic, is rewarded to "people who have distinguished themselves by their creation in the field of artistic or literary or by the contribution they have made to the radiation of arts and letters in France and in the world."
ALY KEITA was born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, his father from Mali, in a Malinke ethnic group and griot since multiple generations. From his father ALY KEITA learns the study and the art of balafon (traditional pentatonic instrument of West African tradition) which will implement later with important teachers in Mali. In 1986 Aly is introduced to jazz by musician George Makinto and then adapts his self made diatonic balafon, to other musical languages. His versatility and his virtuosity said thus allow to cross territorial borders and musical coming to important collaborations with international artists like Pharoah Sanders, Paolo Fresu, Rhoda Scott, Omar Sosa, Joe Zawinul, Étienne M'Bappé, Linley Marthe Mathew Garisson, Paco Sery, Karim Ziad and Arto TuncboyaciyanTrilok Gurtu and Jan Garbarek, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Rokia Traoré, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Amadou and Mariam Bagayogo, Habib Koité, and many others.

 

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