Cameroonian virtuoso talks new projects and singing your bass notes

Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
March 9, 2020

Cameroonian-born bassist, composer and vocalist Richard Bona is known for blending virtuosity with deep musicality, drawing from jazz, Afrobeat and a wide range of global influences. Over the years, he’s worked with artists including Branford Marsalis, Joe Zawinul, Pat Metheny, Bobby McFerrin, Chaka Khan, and Harry Belafonte, and has built a reputation as one of the most expressive and innovative bassists in the world.

In this interview, Richard talks about growing up in a small village in Cameroon, building his own instruments, and discovering Jaco Pastorius — the moment that led him to the bass.

He also shares some powerful insights for bass players, including why “excellence is repetition,” why you should sing your notes while you play, and how staying present in the moment shapes both your music and your life.

FBPO’s Jon Liebman sat down with Richard at the 2020 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California for this wide-ranging and inspiring conversation.

Watch our interview with Richard!

See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview, here.