Richard Bona is a jazz musician and bassist, was born in October 28, 1967in the town of Minta, in eastern Cameroon. Bona was born into a family of musicians, which enabled him to start learning music from a young age. His grandfather was a singer (griot) and percussionist, and his mother was a singer. At 4 years old, he started to play the balafon. At the age of 5, he began performing at his village church. Not being wealthy, Bona made many of his own instruments: including flutes and guitars (with cords strung over an old motorcycle tank).
His talent was quickly noticed, and he was often invited to perform at festivals and ceremonies. Bona began learning to play the guitar at age 11, and in 1980 aged just 13, he assembled his first ensemble for a French jazz club in Douala. The owner befriended him and helped him discover jazz music and, notably including Jaco Pastorius in particular, whose work inspired Bona to switch his focus to the electric bass.Bona emigrated to Germany at the age of 22, soon relocating to France, where he furthered his studies in music.Whilst in France, he regularly played in various jazz clubs, sometimes with players such as Manu Dibango, Salif Keita, Jacques Higelin and Didier Lockwood. In 1995, Richard left France and established himself in New York, where he still lives and works.
His talent was quickly noticed, and he was often invited to perform at festivals and ceremonies. Bona began learning to play the guitar at age 11, and in 1980 aged just 13, he assembled his first ensemble for a French jazz club in Douala. The owner befriended him and helped him discover jazz music and, notably including Jaco Pastorius in particular, whose work inspired Bona to switch his focus to the electric bass.Bona emigrated to Germany at the age of 22, soon relocating to France, where he furthered his studies in music.Whilst in France, he regularly played in various jazz clubs, sometimes with players such as Manu Dibango, Salif Keita, Jacques Higelin and Didier Lockwood. In 1995, Richard left France and established himself in New York, where he still lives and works.
TIKI, Bona's fourth solo effort, is a case study in world fusion. In addition to Bona's excellent chops (he plays many of the album's instruments himself, including the bass, for which he is particularly well known), the disc boasts an immediately appealing sound that draws heavily on Afro-Pop, but also boasts Latin rhythms, Indian melodies, American pop, R&B, and funk elements, and nearly everything in between. Bona's beautiful, soothing vocals carry TIKI's memorable melodies, while guest appearances by John Legend, Susheela Ramen, and guitarist Mike Stern raise the world-class profile of this impressive release.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario