Two groups at the Volkshaus in Basel: Andreas Schärer, Kalle Kalima, & Björn Meyer; and Gretchen Parlato and Lionel Loueke

This evening's concert at the Volkshaus in Basel began with the trio of Andreas Schärer on vocals, Kalle Kalima on electric guitar, and Björn Meyer on electric bass guitar. They performed songs from Schärer and Kalima’s “Evolution” (2023, with Tim Lefebvre on bass). It was my fourth time hearing them, and the music opens up more with each show. Then came the duo of Gretchen Parlato on vocals and percussion and Lionel Loueke on electric guitar and vocals with songs from their “Lean In” (2023). Loueke's looping creates relaxed grooves of layered electric guitar combined with his rhythmic chanting and lead-guitar lines, all providing a beautiful foundation for Parlato’s singular singing. (Andrew Shields, #111Words, 28 April 2024)