A visit to the spirit of Africa

Eyebrows might rise at the prospect of traditional African music adapted to a quintet of English classical, jazz and folk musicians using mostly European instruments. Leave it to the great guitarist John Williams to find the right cross-cultural balance. At the Irvine Barclay Theatre on Thursday, as on the CD “Magic Box,” Williams and his group captured an African-rooted spirit in a prime example of sensitive musical adaptation.

Williams has obviously done his homework, bringing a smart and affectionate approach to a vast subject. For this evening’s program, Williams focused on West African countries. At the group’s center were Williams, a model of clarity on classical guitar, and John Etheridge on steel string, a looser player with jazz and folk instincts. The textural blend of gut and steel string was synergistic. A sure sign of success is that this listener basked in the group’s present pleasures and felt driven to re-explore the musical sources.