CD: Resurrection

An Ensemble Without Precedent—Since its founding in 1999, TRIO IVOIRE has been a one-of-a-kind musical ensemble with a unique lineup. The blend of European jazz, West African timbres, and the freedom of improvisation has established the ensemble as a fixture on international stages. Pianist Hans Lüdemann, balafon master Aly Keita, and drummer Christian Thomé create a musical language that spans traditions and continents, enabling direct, boundless communication.

Not only is the trio’s lineup unique, but so is its music, which draws its tension from the contrasts and vast distances between the musicians’ personal roots. Both are likely reasons why TRIO IVOIRE has such staying power and why their collaboration remains exciting to this day. In keeping with this, the trio is presenting a completely new program on its new album, “Resurrection,” to mark the anniversary.

The Beginning: Music as a Common Language – TRIO IVOIRE Has Been Around for 25 Years! Who could have foreseen this when pianist Hans Lüdemann first met balafon virtuoso Aly Keita in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, during a solo tour of West Africa organized by the Goethe-Institut in 1999? They hit it off right away, and shortly thereafter they founded the percussive trio—originally with Steve Argüelles on drums, then with Chander Sardjoe from 2007 to 2012, and with Christian Thomé since 2013.

In TRIO IVOIRE, personal roots drawn from the traditions of jazz, European, and African music converge—these can create contrasts and generate tension, but they can also blend together. The combination of the African balafon with piano, drums, and electronics creates a contemporary sound unlike any other. This has less to do with traditional music than with finding artistic means of expression in a globalized world. Together, they create a unique kind of music that transcends clichés—a joyful interplay among three extraordinary musical personalities, navigating traditions, visions, and experiments.

In the years that followed, the ensemble developed an impressive range of lineups and collaborations, resulting in a total of six albums. Most recently, in 2020, they released *Enchanted Forest*—a collaboration between the instrumental trio and a vocal trio consisting of singers Tamara Lukasheva, Simin Tander, and Amanda Becker, complemented by musicians Alexandra Grimal (saxophone) and Lisa Wulff (double bass). Throughout its history, TRIO IVOIRE has collaborated with a multitude of high-caliber guests: initially with the Gambian kora player Tata Dindin, and later with the Zimbabwean singer and mbira player Chiwoniso as well as the Ivorian singer Dobet Gnahoré. In 2008, the Tagra project was commissioned by the Institut Français in Djibouti, featuring musicians from East Africa and the Cameroonian percussionist Brice Wassy. Other influential collaborations included those with the Moroccan percussionist Rhani Krija, the Malian kora player Ballaké Sissoko, and the German trumpeter Reiner Winterschladen.

A Return to the Roots—With “Resurrection,” Trio Ivoire is now consciously returning to its original trio lineup. After 25 years of journeying together, this step marks an artistic new beginning—driven by the freedom to draw upon the inexhaustible wellsprings of their own musical experiences. The new compositions combine lyrical depth, rhythmic sophistication, and a special intensity that can only arise from many years of familiarity. “Resurrection” is not a nostalgic look back, but a powerful look ahead—a rebirth that reveals the essence of Trio Ivoire in its purest form.

The Secret of Trio Ivoire—Even after a quarter-century, the central secret of Trio Ivoire remains unchanged: a unique sound that is instantly recognizable, an inexhaustible reservoir of diverse musical sources, and a communicative style of music-making that is immediate. It requires no words and yet tells stories that people all over the world understand.