Martin Cradick (UK) - guitar, founded Baka Beyond after visiting the Baka Pygmy hunter-gatherers in the Cameroon rainforest in 1992 with his wife Su Hart.
Su Hart (UK) - vocals, played in several bands and travelled extensively song gathering before living with the Baka and learning from them. Apart from singing in Baka Beyond she teaches about the singing of the Baka.
Paddy Le Mercier (France) - violin, originally from Brittany, the Celtic part of France. Now lives in Toulouse, France. Played on first album, Spirit of the Forest, and has been with the band since the beginning.
Seckou Keita (Senegal) - percussion, he joined Baka Beyond in 1998. Although he is the percussionist with Baka Beyond he is also a skilled kora player, playing solo concerts at WOMAD in Australia and Singapore.
Tim Robinson (UK) - drums, joined Baka Beyond in 2000 at short notice when their Senegalese drummer was refused a visa just before a national tour. Session credits include the Oscar-nominated animation, Welsh-language folk music and TV drama.
Denise Rowe (UK) - vocals, dance, father Jamaican, mother British. Grew up in Midlands, UK. Has studied dance in UK & Ghana as well as with the Baka in SE Cameroon. She joined Baka Beyond in 2000.
Kibisingo Douglas (Congo) - bass, now lives in London. Has toured across Africa, Europe and America with Zairian legend Kanda Bongo Man. Has recently joined Baka Beyond adding an authentic Congolese root to the music.
Ayodele Scott (Sierra Leone) - percussion, came to UK as a theatre and dance performer in 1987. He founded Kabudu dance company and has worked extensively in UK in African Dance and education. Joined Baka Beyond in 1997.
Nii Tagoe (Ghana) - percussion, born in Accra, Ghana, into a royal family from whom he inherited his talent for drumming, dancing and singing. He came to Britain as a principal dancer and drummer in the Adzido dance company. Joined Baka Beyond in 1997.
Influences
Many and varied from Jimi Hendrix to Fela Kuti to Can, but also music of the Baka Pygmies and especially the music brought by individual band members
3 minute video of Baka Beyond headlining Edmonton Festival, Canada. . . .
Formed in 1992 after a visit to the Baka Pygmies in the Cameroon rainforest, Baka Beyond has evolved into a multicultural dance band with members from 6 countries in Africa and Europe. The band has now released six albums.
Spirit of the forest (1993) is a collection of songs inspired by the first visit to the Baka Pygmies in Cameroon. 10% of royalties go to the Baka through Global Music Exchange [buy]
The Meeting Pool (1995) was the next album of songs inspired by the traditional melodies of the Baka tribe in Cameroon. [buy]
Journey Between (1998) featured guest musicians from Ghanaian band Kakatsitsi laying down traditional Ghainian rhythms to form the percussive roots of this album. [buy]
Sogo (2000) came into being when Martin Cradick invited 4 musicians from West Africa and 4 musicians from the Celtic fringes of Europe to join Baka Beyond for an extensive tour. While playing together, new songs evolved that are a fusion of individual talents and traditions. [buy]
East to West (2002) came into being a decade from the first visit to the Baka. Their influence is still strong on this CD which features traditional melodies from Cornwall and Scotland. [buy] [listen]
Rhythm Tree (2005) was partly recorded in the depths of the Cameroon rainforest and partly at home in the studio. The tracks feature traditional melodies which combine with West African guitar cycles and percussion. [buy] [listen]
Hello!! Ya know, you have to go through Washington state from Canada to get to Berkley. How bout you make a pit stop here in Olympia? We would love to have you! Love, Love, Love your music!
Im going to AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE for the SUMMER SOLSTICE to drum to the rising sun and moon.
The Energy of the Stone Circle Deep in the Earth & Stars The Viberation of the Drums Deep in the Spirit of Mother Earth The Light of the Sun & Moon Shining in our Souls Forever as One in Spirit.
Went to the WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL last weekend, Drumming with INTA AFRICA, playing groovin Rhythms of Mother Earth & jammin. Bands i saw: Dreadzone, Transglobal Underground, Kissmet, Mor Karbasi, Kate Rusby and Imagined Village. Very peaceful & enlightning festival.
Drumming to the Heartbeat of Mother Earth Deep in the Spirit of the Sun & Moon Drumming to the Rhythms of Mother Earth Deep in the Spirit of the Land & Sea Drumming to the Soul of Mother Earth Deep in the Spirit of the Universe.
Thursday 12th June At VIBE LIVE, Upstairs at The Vibe Bar 91 Brick Lane London E1 6QL Info: 0207 426 0491 www. vibe-bar. co. uk Doors open 7pm Ticket on the door: £7