Unlike the dollar these days, jazz doesn’t decrease in value when you take it abroad. Quite the contrary—it’s usually worth far more when it’s introduced back into the local musical currency. It would be hard to find a better example of this than the Lionel Loueke Trio. Born and raised in the West African country of Benin, guitarist Loueke studied jazz in the Ivory Coast and Paris before connecting with bassist Massimo Biolcati (who is of Italian descent but was raised in Sweden) and drummer Ferenc Nemeth (from Hungary) at Boston’s Berklee School of Music. Not surprisingly, their music sounds like the most unexpected jazz you’ve ever heard. Loueke specializes in lacy, virtuosic guitar lines set to complex time signatures, recalling his African background, but he breaks it up with resonating jazz chord progressions and staccato solos. Since his bandmates had studied African music even before meeting him, they’re more than able to follow his sinuous trail. So far Loueke’s been best known as a talented sideman for musicians like Herbie Hancock and Terrence Blanchard, but the trio showcases him at his most individual. The afternoon concert is preceded by a 2pm film on African guitar-picking styles.

Sunday, January 27 at 3pm. Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Avenue (882-8700/albrightknox.org). $22 general, $18 members.