In 1999, the jazz pianist Hans Ludemann from Cologne met the batafon player Aly Keita from the Ivory Coast during a trip to West Africa. Since they hit it off musically right away, the founded Tri oIvoire that has been exploring the connections between jazz and West African music ever since. Aside from Ludemann, Aly Keita and the drummer Christian Thome, the new album ''Desert Pulse'' features guest musicians Reiner Winterschladen and Ballake Sissoko, making the spectrum of sounds even more colorful. The result i smusic that builds bridges between Africa, jazz and Europe. With its relaxed pace, it represents a counterpoint to the hyped up music of the industrial north. Trio Ivoire has become a reference point in linking African music, European tradition and jazz history.