• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Etienne Mbappe

D

Daniel L.

Aug 30, 2002
304
8
#1
There's been a lot of talk lately about Richard Bona, but I don't think people realize that there's another great bassist from Cameroon.....Etienne Mbappe!

He sings/plays/composes and does it all amazingly well. If you're a fan of Richard Bona you owe it to yourself to check out Mbappe. He truly is a hidden gem and one of the most underrated bassists out there.

Here are some links to some of his albums.

Etienne Mbappe "Misiya"

Chic Hot "Satyagraha"
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#3
Yeah, there's not much info out there about him.

Besides his solo work, he also is in the group Chic Hot and plays with Joe Zawinul too. Not sure what other projects he's involved in.


I'll probably post a song off the Chic Hot album after this song has been up for awhile.
 
#4
That Etienne Mbappe is smokin'! I am always amazed when I hear the great musicians, especially bassists, that come out oF Africa. I have been blessed to have spent time in AFrica on six occassions, but the next time I go, I will take my bass. I may get smoked like a sausage, but I'm gonna have to jam with these guys.
 
#8
Hey Woodchuck - I think you're thinking of another guy - Etienne has been touring with Joe Zawinul - always the sign of a great bass player - from Jaco onwards, Joe's used Bona, Garrison, Etienne, Victor Bailey - need I say more...BTW Zawinul's last solo album 'Faces and Places' is excellent for a load of smoking Afro-jazz fusion grooves from Bailey, Bona and Etienne - well worth checking out - I keep playing along to it and it's always an inspriing listen and a dictionary of cool funky African-influenced grooves.
 
#9
Hi just joined

In answer to the various posts, I lived in Paris for 10 years from '92 in a street just behind 3 jazzclubs (rue des lombards), the clubs being Sunset, Baiser Sale and Les Ducs des Lombards.

In '92 / '93 I went to the Baiser Sale for the first time on a sunday nite. They had a trio (keys, bass, drums), Francoise Pujol I seem to remember. I was blown away by the bass player who was Richard Bona. Over the years I've seen him about a dozen times along with Etienne Mbappe (who played with Ultramarine), all in the same 3 clubs. Some great gigs, in tiny venues, sometimes just half a dozen people in the audience !

Later on, around 2000, I saw another trio. Half way thru the gig, they switched instruments and a guy from the audience joined on keys. There were only about 5 in audience including my wife and myself. The old keys player switched to bass and the trio went thru various fusion classics (got a match etc). The bassist was Linley Marthe, a guy from Iles Maurice. He was incredible. I've seen him in various musical formats since then. Amazing range of sound and feel.

All 3 of these bassists are supremely musical - and all 3 have played with Zawinul (Marthe is now is current bassist).
 
#12
Daniel LeClaire said:
That's interesting. I wonder how he came up with that? Maybe it's to protect his fingers?


Thanks for the pic Maurilio.
Click to expand...

Etienne uses the silk gloves because of his wife's suggestion to help with his constant sweating.

Base Sale, that's the place in France I was thinking of. I'm dying to get to Paris.

Tony Levin did use a cloth diaper, very cool.
 
#14
Daniel LeClaire said:
That's interesting. I wonder how he came up with that? Maybe it's to protect his fingers?


Thanks for the pic Maurilio.
Click to expand...

Hi there,
you're more than welcome.
I saw him the first time years ago in Switzerland at a jazz festival (Lugano Estival Jazz) with Zawinul (by the way, I was working on the stage with the company that was running the PA and lights). Best sound and groove of all the festival (with the Sadowsky from the pic).
I saw him one more time here in L.A. (he was playing a Noguera, I think) I didn't like that much..... but his playing is great!

Aloha

Mo'
 
#16
I've gotta say, we all need to pay close attention to the African players coming out. These guys are light years ahead of the rest. They grow up hearing all these amazing poly rhythms and it becomes natural for them. Then they learn the jazz language on top of that. These guys are playing the coolest **** out there. I got to hear a live recording of Nguyen Le (Parisian guitar player) with an all African band. I just couldn't get it man. It was way over my head rythmically. I guarentee anyone I know whould have struggled with it. I've gotta say though, it was some of the best music I've ever heard. This is why I'm dying to get to Paris. A lot of African musucians are moving up that way and integrating into the musics there. I feel this is where the future of music is heading.
 
#18
peteroberts said:
who is the guy that was playing bass in Stanley Clarke's band last tour? I am pretty sure he was from Cameroon too, and he was smokin'!
Click to expand...

Armand Sabal Lecco has played low bass for Stanley for quite some time. He's from Cameroon as well. I'm not familiar with SC's latest tour lineup, but it's probably him.

I guess this makes Cameroon the new Philly when it comes to hotbeds of bass talent.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back