Blick Bassy: Parisian who never left Africa

The organisers of Bassy’s Nairobi concert said, it was meant to expose the audience to up-and-coming and leading African musicians in the diaspora with the aim of bridging the East-West African musical divide.

And he did not disappoint. His guitar strumming was effortless.

His soft voice, accompanied by the kora, calabash and a double bass blended into a unique, haunting sound that was subtly harmonic, raw and rhythmic. And the audience loved it.

His band consisting of two guitarists also acted as his back-up vocalists, and one of the guitarist adeptly played a small drum tucked under his armpit, drawing applause from the crowd.

On his musical background, Bassy recalls that his mother used to sing from morning till night.

He credits her for his love for music.

On his debut album Leman, which means “mirror,” Bassy connects the music of Central and West Africa and mixes it with bossa nova, jazz and soul.

Leman was recorded in Salif Keita’s studio in Bamako, Mali, and also in Bassy’s current home town of Paris.

It was co-produced by Jean Lamoot (known for his work with Souad Massi, Salif Keita, Nneka and Kasse Mady Diabaté) and Jean-Louis Solans.

At the tender age of 10, Bassy was sent to live with his grandparents for two years in Mintaba, a village in central Cameroon.

His grandparents initiated him into traditional customs and culture, training him in hunting, fishing and agriculture. He was also educated in musical traditions.

A musical background

In Mintaba, daily life is accompanied by music and it was while here that Bassy learnt about Bassa music and the various traditional chants that accompany it.

He set up his first band, Jazz Crew, at the age of 17.

Playing a fusion of African melodies, jazz and bossa nova, Jazz Crew quickly became the most sought-after group in the city.