Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke

Rainforests of sonic wonder

They regularly performed as a duo, developing a richly harmonic style while accompanying themselves on percussion and guitar. Last year they finally released their first duo album, Lean In.

The album was conceived during the pandemic through the lens of two friends who were decidedly vulnerable about an unforeseeable journey. More than ever, they were open to their diverse backgrounds and influences. For many years, Gretchen Parlato has immersed herself in Brazilian music on the one hand and West-African percussion on the other. Lionel Lueke is from Benin, where, as a teenager he learned by playing along to American jazz guitar greats. This mix of genres is at the heart of the songs and improvisations of this virtuosic duo.

‘The dynamic duo often create rainforests of sonic wonder’ (Downbeat).