Benin-born guitarist Lionel Loueke's blend of the modal guitar style from his native West Africa with modern jazz techniques can be heard on recordings by Terrence Blanchard and Wayne Shorter, as well as Loueke’s own sessions as a leader. On GAÏA, Loueke reunited with his longtime trio featuring bassist Massimo Biolcati and drummer Ferenc Nemeth for a session produced by GRAMMY-winning producer and Blue Note president Don Was that was recorded live in the studio with an intimate audience in attendance.

The legendary pianist and innovator explores the words and music of another musical pioneer Joni Mitchell on his first new studio recording for Verve since 1998’s GRAMMY Award winner Gershwin’s World. Inspired in equal parts by Mitchell’s poetic lyrics and unique melodies/harmonies, the musicians play with a restraint and elegance (on both the instrumental and vocal tracks) that achieves a perfect balance between the adventurous aesthetics of jazz improvisation and the emotional directness of the finest Adult Pop music.

"Cross Culture" is the 23rd studio work by GRAMMY Award-winning saxophonist/composer Joe Lovano. Lovano has been hailed by the New York Times as “one of the greatest musicians in jazz history.” The album marks his 23rd recording for Blue Note and his third consecutive release by his critically-acclaimed quintet, Us Five. "Cross Culture" features the band’s original line up of Francisco Mela, Otis Brown III, James Weidman, Esperanza Spalding and the newly recruited Peter Slavov, plus a special guest appearance by Lionel Loueke. "Cross Culture" is a stunning eleven-track album of ten Lovano originals along with a breathtaking rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s “Star Crossed Lovers”. The album fulfills Lovano’s lifelong dream to explore the notion of universal musical language.

German jazz singer Céline Rudolph and internationally renowned guitarist Lionel Loueke combine forces on "Obsession", a beautifully crafted release uniting Loueke's unique fusions of Brazilian and African music and jazz with Rudolph's sensitive horn-like voice and delicate improvisations. The two bring out the best in each other in these ten selections recorded in Berlin and New York City.

There could hardly be a better start for the new year – the 2014 jazz season will be opened by none other than Jeff Ballard, together with outstanding guitarist Lionel Loueke and the great Miguel Zenon on saxophone. Their first ever album collaboration "Time’s Tales" offers a varied repartoire from Thelonious Monk to Iranian folk melodies, with influences from Bartók, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Stevie Wonder and more. At the same time, it reflects the musicians’ different geographic backgrounds – the USA, Benin and Puerto Rico.

Gilles Peterson re-imagines Lionel Loueke’s incredible and acclaimed album HH, released in 2020, featuring the music of his long-term mentor, the legendary Herbie Hancock, for release in 2022.

Lionel Loueke, one of the jazz world’s most searingly original and sought-after guitarists, has devoted the bulk of his output to original music. But Close Your Eyes, originally released on vinyl by Newvelle in 2018, found the Benin-born Loueke focusing entirely on standards and canonical jazz classics.