Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke
A winning collaboration between an outstanding jazz voice of the times and Herbie Hancock’s guitarist.
Join us for a performance from Grammy-nominated vocalist Gretchen Parlato and acclaimed guitarist Lionel Loueke.
The pair will perform songs from their new album Lean In, which tells the story of their 20 year friendship.
Performed in English, Portuguese and Fon (the indigenous language of Benin), the songs blend sounds inspired by pop and R&B classics as well as Afrobeat and Brazilian tunes. The album includes original songs, improvisational interludes, and a few select covers.
Their musical journey began in 2001 at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz in Los Angeles, and they both flourished in New York's jazz scene. Loueke collaborated with Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock, while Parlato won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition and gained mentorship from Wayne Shorter and others.
The Guardian describes Lean In as a spare and effortlessly funky album, featuring Loueke's guitar and discreet percussion by Mark Guiliana (Parlato's husband). The vocals are shared, offering dreamy bossa nova and exploring various styles like West African, R&B and even covering a Foo Fighters song. Parlato's sensuous and engaging singing, combined with Loueke's vocal yips and clicks, create a joyful and immersive musical experience.