The fabulous and internationally acclaimed Lionel Loueke Trio made a stop over at the Bird’s Eye last week. "Lionel picked up the guitar late at age 17. After his initial exposure to jazz in Benin, he left to attend the National Institute of Art in Ivory Coast. In 1994 he departed Africa to pursue jazz studies at the American School of Modern Music in Paris then came on a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music where he first encountered his future trio mates Massimo Biolcati and Ferenc Nemeth. After graduating Loueke was accepted to the Thelonious Monk Institute where he was able to study with his most significant mentors: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Terence Blanchard. Praised by Hancock as “a musical painter,” Loueke combines harmonic complexity, soaring melody, a deep knowledge of African folk forms, and conventional and extended guitar techniques to create a warm and evocative sound of his own. His Blue Note debut Karibu (2008) featured guest appearances from Hancock and Shorter with his trio and was met with wide acclaim. Mwaliko (2010) offered a series of intimate duets with Angelique Kidjo, Richard Bona, Esperanza Spalding and Marcus Gilmore. Heritage (2012) was co-produced by label mate Robert Glasper and found Loueke exploring a more electric sound with a new trio featuring Derrick Hodge on electric bass and Mark Guiliana on drums. For his latest album on Blue Note 'GAÏA', he has reunited with the two musicians who accompanied him on his 2008 debut - bassist Massimo Biolcati and drummer Ferenc Nemeth — a trio that first formed when the three attended Berklee together."

He has also recently started to enrich the Basel scene by becoming a regular guest faculty member at the Jazzcampus.

Backed by his two strong, extremely responsive side men whose craft is on par with his own, he was showcasing songs from inside and outside his new CD at the Bird’s Eye. His play and singing was plain beautiful to listen to and the joy and energy transfer between the trio was a delight to watch. Otherwise, the menu comprised incredibly cool and complex rhythms, varied improvisations, rich groove, while bursting out one minute and playing delicately the next, - in what was a very soulful evening. 

Next he is en route again to play with Herbie Hancock in Seattle, at the SFJAZZ center in San Francisco, the Iridium in New York City ... to name a few. Great that the Bird’s Eye was on the tour map.

Being in great spirits and getting ready.

Settling some outstanding business before the start.

And off they go.

Not only playing but also being in telepathy with his beautiful Sadowsky guitar:

PS: the sound of the trio was supported through phiTon_resonaTors developed by Corrado Faccioni (pictured below) - hearing is believing