Francis Bebey

Francis Bebey
Born	(1929-07-15)15 July 1929 Douala, Cameroon
Died	Paris, France
Genres	makossa, classical guitar, jazz, pop, electronic
Occupation(s)	artist, musician, writer, radio broadcaster
Instruments	guitar, sanza, flute, percussion
Years active	1969–2000

Francis Bebey (15 July 1929 in Douala, Cameroon – 28 May 2001 in Paris, France ) was a Cameroonian artist, musician, and writer.

Bebey attended the Sorbonne, and was further educated in the United States. In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, and took a job as a broadcaster.

In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. His most popular novel was Agatha Moudio's Son. He also worked as a consultant for UNESCO.

Bebey released his first album in 1969. His music was primarily guitar-based, but he integrated traditional African instruments and synthesizers as well. His style merged Cameroonian makossa with classical guitar, jazz, and pop and was considered by critics to be groundbreaking, "intellectual, humorous, and profoundly sensual". He sang in Duala, English, and French. Bebey helped launch the career of Manu Dibango. Bebey released more than 20 albums over his career.

John Williams' piece "Hello Francis" is written as a tribute to Bebey: "The piece is based on the Makossa, a popular dance rhythm from Cameroon often used by Francis, and includes a quote from his piece The Magic Box and a hidden bit of J.S. Bach."

Discography

Albums

• Concert Pour Un Vieux Masque, LP, Philips, 1968
• Savannah Georgia, LP, Fiesta Records, 1975
• Guitare D'Une Autre Rime, LP, Ozileka, 1975
• La Condition Masculine, LP, Ozileka, 1976
• Fleur Tropicale, LP, Ozileka, 1976
• Je Vous Aime Zaime Zaime, LP, Ozileka, 1977
• Ballades Africaines, LP, Ozileka, 1978
• Priere Aux Masques. LP, Ozileka, 1979
• Un Petit Ivoirien, LP, Ozileka, 1979
• Afrikanischer Frühling, LP, Marifon, 1980
• Haïti - Guitar Music Trio, LP, Ozileka, 1981
• Bia So Nika, LP, Ozileka, 1981
• Africa Sanza, Ozileka, 1982
• New Track, Ozileka, 1982
• Pygmy Love Song, LP, Editions Makossa, 1982
• Super Bebey - Vingt Plages Ensoleillées, 2xLP, Ozileka, 1983
• Sanza Nocturne, Ozileka, 1984
• Akwaaba: Music For Sanza, Original Music, 1984
• Le Solo De Bruxelles, LP, Ozileka, 1985
• Heavy Ghetto, Anti Apartheid Makossa, LP, Ozileka, 1985
• Si Les Gaulois Avaient Su!, LP, Blue Silver, 1986
• Baobab, LP, Volume, 1988
• African Woman, LP, Volume, 1988
• World Music Guitar, CD, Ozileka, 1992
• Sourire De Lune, CD, Ozileka, 1996

Compilations

• Rire Africain, Ozileka, 1981
• Nadolo / With Love - Francis Bebey Works: 1963-1994, CD, Original Music, 1995
• African Electronic Music 1975-1982, LP/CD, Born Bad Records, 2011
• Psychedelic Sanza 1982-1984, LP/CD, Born Bad Records, 2014
• La Condition Masculine, CD, Sonodisc

References

• DeLancey, Mark W., and Mark Dike DeLancey (2000): Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Cameroon (3rd ed.). Lanham, Maryland: The Scarecrow Press.
• Hudgens, Jim, and Richard Trillo (1999). West Africa: The Rough Guide. 3rd ed. London: Rough Guides Ltd.
• Mbaku, John Mukum (2005). Culture and Customs of Cameroon. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press.
• West, Ben (2004). Cameroon: The Bradt Travel Guide. Guilford, Connecticut: The Globe Pequot Press Inc.