Lionel Loueke of Benin thanks many musical giants in the liner notes of his debut CD. The list includes fellow Beninois Angelique Kidjo and fellow guitarists Pat Metheny and Carlos Santana.

Jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter also appear on the list...and the album. Here's Herbie Hancock, accompanying Lionel Loueke on the track "Seven Teens." Lionel Loueke's CD is called "Karibu." It's on Blue Note Records. That is probably the most prestigious label in jazz.

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.