Les Égarés With Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Emile Parisien and Vincent Peirani

Les Égarés is not just an album, it is a vibrant musical experiment and poetic journey created by four master musicians: Ballaké Sissoko (kora), Vincent Segal (cello), Vincent Peirani (accordion) and Émile Parisien (saxophone). These artists, long known for transcending genres, merge their talents in a seamless, ego-free collaboration that defies categorization. The result is a fluid, genre-defying sound that draws from jazz, classical, traditional and avant-garde influences.

The project began spontaneously during a festival in Lyon in 2019 and grew into a full-fledged quartet, where creativity was driven by improvisation and deep musical listening rather than rigid rehearsals. Originally intended to record in Mali, political tensions led them to the French Alps, where their studio sessions unfolded as inspired jam sessions full of mutual trust and exploration.

Each member brought musical “gems”—pieces or themes that the group had to reimagine. The result is a richly textured soundscape: from the Manding melodies of “Ta Nye” and “Banja,” to the exotic, meandering paths of “Izao,” the hypnotic spirals of “Amenhotep,” and the haunting lullabies of “Dou.” Even reinterpretations of existing works, like “Esperanza,” “Time Bum,” and Joe Zawinul’s “Orient Express,” are transformed into fresh, sonic wonders.

What makes Les Égarés so special is the collective spirit – there are no soloists, no flashy performances, just four artists merging into one musical voice. Delivering intricate aural illusions and emotional richness, the album offers a sonic experience that is intimate, adventurous and deeply human. It celebrates the joy of getting lost – musically and spiritually – and in doing so reveals the powerful beauty of creative freedom and harmony.