WERMAN: Do the Beninois know what it means to have a debut release on Blue Note records?
LOUEKE: No, they don’t (laughs). For example I was talking to my dad and I said, “Hey I’m playing with Herbie Hancock.” And he said, “Herbie, who? I don’t know him.” And I said, “What jazz musician do you know?” And he said, “Oh, maybe Miles Davis.” I said, “Well, Herbie’s played with Miles.” And he said, “Oh, he must be good.”
WERMAN: Herbie Hancock is like a mentor toward you and I read a quote of his. He said, “i’d never heard any guitar player play anything close to what I was hearing from you…there was no territory that was forbidden and he was fearless.”
LOUEKE: I’m naturally fearless from the beginning. Just in life in general I’m not afraid to try new things. I always believe by trying that’s how you discover new things.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!