Kevin Hays & Lionel Loueke
On paper, the difference between these two musicians couldn’t be greater: guitarist Lionel Loueke comes from the African country Benin, which has one of the highest levels of illiteracy in the world, while the pianist Kevin Hays grew up in one of the centres of the American financial industry. The two artists’ countries of origin lie more than 8,000 kilometres apart, yet the distance between them dissolves into thin air as soon as they start to play.
It’s nothing short of astounding, how sensitively and with what ease Loueke and Hays play together on their new album »Hope«: influences from both worlds find their way into the duo’s sound, which combines simplicity with complexity, but always sticks to its roots in their mutual jazz tradition.
The two musicians first met in New York. Lionel Loueke is a sought-after sideman who has already played with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Robert Glasper. No less impressive is the list of artists with which Kevin Hays has collaborated. Special mention should be made to his trio recordings with percussionist Bill Stewart.
Performers
Lionel Loueke guitar
Kevin Hays piano
Estimated end time
20:45