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May 30, 2007
Richard Bona: Three Views of a Secret
Jaco Pastorius pretty much invented modern fretless bass playing and it’s a shame he’s still not around making great music. But the good news is: his soul lives on in a guy from Cameroon named Richard Bona. I just caught his show at Jazz Alley in Seattle and even though he only picked up the fretless for one song—a Pastoruis 3 Views of a Secret/America The Beautiful medley—that single song was worth the ticket price. Bona’s 5-string bass-inspired-afro-pop-jazz is pretty great and stands on its own, but that Pastoruis song was the closest thing I’ve heard to bass genius since Jaco himself.
Check out Richard Bona
Geoffrey sez:
Dale: You are right about his singing, his voice is angelic and amazing—almost an instrument in itself. He did this amazing solo were he laid down several vocal tracks in one mic, looped them, then sang along with himself in another. He kept building on the loops too, great stuff!
Posted at May 31, 2007 8:56 AM
Jere Smith sez:
Yeah…amazing show with this phenomenal bassist of the Afropop jazz persuasion who in my opinion has no peers. As you know, Geoff, I’ve seen Jaco many times, and for me, Mr. Bona kind of goes beyond the legacy. Mostly, it was nice to be able hang out with my lads and girlfriend.
Posted at May 31, 2007 6:26 PM
Geoffrey sez:
My only complaints were that he only used the fretless once and overall the set was hard to hear—but that could have been Jazz Alley’s fault. (Maybe they cater to old geezers, but I say turn it up!)
Posted at May 31, 2007 7:39 PM
Jere Smith sez:
I essentially agree on your point and would add that geezers (like me) need the sound to be louder not softer. I mean…it was not like the music had some sort of shrill component. I’m being picky here but I also noticed a subtle but audible, feedback kind of hum behind us…but I mostly transcended it. And there you have it.
Posted at June 2, 2007 6:24 PM
Dale Cruse sez:
Richard Bona is phenomenal. His singing and African roots bring a whole different vibe to his bass virtuosity.
Posted at May 31, 2007 6:37 AM