Mande Guitar is the product of a 20-year friendship between Banning Eyre and Boubacar “Badian” Diabate. Eyre met Badian while studying guitar in Mali and researching his book In Griot Time. Badian’s stunning technique and lyrical touch was a revelation for Eyre. Many years later, Badian began visiting New York to perform for the West African community with his wife Nene Soumano. He repeatedly asked Eyre to help him make a CD. Eyre ultimately agreed on the condition that Badian just play guitar—no vocals, percussion or other instruments. They compromised on some guitar duos and light percussion on one song. But the result, recorded in the Afropop Worldwide studio, fully showcases Badian’s brilliance. This video, made before the recording of the CD, tells the story.