Biography
Gilfema stands out as a refined modern Jazz trio whose sound fuses post-bop elements with fusion, African roots, and inventive contemporary improvisation. Stemming from the group led by the respected guitarist Lionel Loueke, the trio first gained recognition through their initial release Gilfema in 2004 and has since progressed with the 2008 album Gilfema +2 and Three in 2020.
Established in 2004, the ensemble brings together the West African-born guitarist/vocalist Loueke, the Sweden-born Italian bassist Massimo Biolcati, and the Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth. Having crossed paths as students during the late '90s at Boston's Berklee College of Music, the musicians have maintained their collaboration within Loueke's primary lineup. As part of this association, they contributed to notable Blue Note recordings including Karibu from 2008 and Gaïa in 2015. While their usual focus lies on Loueke's compositions, Gilfema provides a platform for showcasing original material from all three members. Their debut effort, produced by Michele Locatelli and issued on ObliqSound as Gilfema, arrived in 2004. In 2008, they followed up with Gilfema +2, again under Locatelli's production, incorporating guest appearances by the clarinetists John Ellis and Anat Cohen. After participating in multiple solo endeavors by Loueke, the group resurfaced in 2020 via the release Three, which includes their interpretation of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing."
Established in 2004, the ensemble brings together the West African-born guitarist/vocalist Loueke, the Sweden-born Italian bassist Massimo Biolcati, and the Hungarian drummer Ferenc Nemeth. Having crossed paths as students during the late '90s at Boston's Berklee College of Music, the musicians have maintained their collaboration within Loueke's primary lineup. As part of this association, they contributed to notable Blue Note recordings including Karibu from 2008 and Gaïa in 2015. While their usual focus lies on Loueke's compositions, Gilfema provides a platform for showcasing original material from all three members. Their debut effort, produced by Michele Locatelli and issued on ObliqSound as Gilfema, arrived in 2004. In 2008, they followed up with Gilfema +2, again under Locatelli's production, incorporating guest appearances by the clarinetists John Ellis and Anat Cohen. After participating in multiple solo endeavors by Loueke, the group resurfaced in 2020 via the release Three, which includes their interpretation of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing."
Albums
