The year was 1995, and one of Bona\'s first moves was to find Joe Zawinul, with whom he had briefly worked in France. Soon, Bona was playing with the Zawinul Syndicate, touring and recording two records with the band. In 1997, Bona began an important two-year stint as musical director of Harry Belafonte\'s band. Belafonte\'s public profile was in resurgence at the time, and Bona found himself in the spotlight more than ever before. In 1998, Bona started performing a regular Tuesday gig at the Izzy Bar with his own band. The gig was a tribute to Jaco, and it generated considerable excitement, preparing the way for the release of Bona\'s first album, Scenes from My Life (Columbia) in 1999. Singing in Douala and Banwele, Bona told stories--as his grandfather had taught him--but in a musical language his ancestors could scarcely have imagined. In 2001, he followed with Reverence, a complex, sophisticated work inspired in great measure by his Christian faith, and his journey from a small village to the greatest city in the world.

Over the years, Bona has worked with jazz greats Mike Stern, Chick Corea, Larry Coryell, Herbie Hancock, and Michael and Randy Brecker. In 2001, he recorded with Pat Metheny and Bobby McFerrin, and he is set to tour in Metheny\'s band in 2002.

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Richard Bona

West Africa

Cameroon

There aren't many African musicians--especially those who began life in the village setting--who have gone on to emerge as major figures in jazz. Bassist, singer and composer Richard Bona of Cameroon is one. Read more on Richard Bona...

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