Gilfema is West African singer/guitarist Lionel Loueke, Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth and Swedish-Italian bassist Massimo Biolcati. Their name is an amalgam of the leading syllables of their first names (note: Lionel's middle name is Gilles, which he is more commonly addressed as back home in Benin).
The sound of three vibrant cultures flowing as one over an open tributary of jazz, effortlessly casting spells with compositions as intricate and purposeful as they are soothing and meditative.
Lionel's astoundingly singular artistic sensibilities have rendered him a high profile contributor to acclaimed recordings and tours with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Carlos Santana, Sting, Terence Blanchard and Charlie Haden.