Kurt Rosenwinel

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Lionel Louke, “Tin Man,” Gilfema

African-born guitarist Lionel Louke is celebrated for his fusion of traditional West African music and modern jazz harmony. Louke sings along with his guitar melodies in his native language, known as Fon, and plays finger-style on a nylon-string guitar to produce a percussive effect he says is influenced by traditional African instruments.

“Tin Man” highlights Louke’s unique rhythmic phrasing along with intriguing harmonic chord voicings complimented by his vocals.

Louke was born in the West African country of Benin before being awarded scholarships at prestigious music conservatories in the Ivory Coast, Paris and eventually The Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since earning his degree, he has toured with his own group as well as a number of jazz greats including Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock.

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