New York (NY), USA – Richard
Bona has completed a fourth solo album, Tiki (Decca). The outstanding bassist, vocalist and composer
maintains his universal appeal by using a crossbreed effect on his new album by
combining African influences (afro-beat and traditional song) with Latin
rhythms, jazz, bossa nova, pop and funk.
A complete artist in his own right,
Richard
Bona is a member of a very small circle of the “world’s best bass
players.” With his new album, the multi-instrumentalist not only shows off his
masterful bass playing and rich vocals; but, he also takes his hand on the
guitar, keyboards and percussion. Tiki will be in stores
August 22nd on Decca.
Born in the village of Minta in East Cameroon,
Richard
Bona
grew up in a home filled with music. At the age of five, he started
performing in public singing in the village church with his mother and four
sisters. After moving from Cameroon to Paris and finally to New York in 1995,
Bona became one of the most in-demand collaborators on the international Jazz
scene, working with a remarkable array of artists, such as Paul Simon, Harry
Belafonte, Chaka Khan, Queen Latifah, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Salif Keita,
Kazumi, Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn, Regina Carter, Bobby McFerrin and
Randy Brecker to name a few. Bona’s unique style incorporates influences from
the around the world. His first three solo albums,
Scenes from My Life (1998),
Reverence (2001) and
Munia (2003) revealed a wonderful storyteller, a
surprising musician, and a spellbinding vocalist.
With his new recording, Tiki, he continues to give the listeners the full magnitude of his talent in a way that combines clarity with a sense of candor towards the diverse nature of our world today. He manages to do this all through his music while inspiring the listener along the way. Tiki was a labor of love for Bona who was surrounded by old collaborators ATN Stadwijk (keyboards) and Vinnie Colauita (drums) as well as some exceptional guest artists including Susheela Raman, Djavan, Mike Stem and Gil Goldstein.
The album was an outlet for Bona to write of his homeland, Africa- a land full of myths and intimacy. This album takes the listener on a journey from his African roots with the lovely nursery rhyme “Ida Bato,” to the jazzy ballad “Esoka Bulu” and on to Brazil with the samba “Akwa samba Yaya.” Tiki, without a doubt, is an album of beginnings, growth and maturity. The end result is a collection of music that could be the soundtrack to the lives of all mankind.
Look for Richard Bona to perform selections from Tiki at Joe’s Pub in New York City September 6th at 7PM with more tour dates listed below.
9/15 Monterey Jazz Festival Monterey, CA
9/6 Joe’s Pub New York, NY
9/20 – 9/21 Regatta Bar with Mike Stem Boston, MA
9/27 – 10/1 Iridium Jazz Club with Mike Stern New York, NY
10/2-10/3 Blues Alley Washington, DC
10/6 (or 10/7) IMAC Long Island, NY (TBC)
Buy the CD:
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
