Richard Bona is considered one of the world’s best bassists; he is also an outstanding multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer. Equally at home in jazz, pop, and Latin grooves, his music is shaped by African musical traditions. With a unique sound and warm voice, he explores Africa’s traditions and themes, as well as the continent’s cultures and beauty. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a host of musical greats, including Herbie Hancock, Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, Buena Vista Social Club, Cesária Évora, Sting, Pat Metheny, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, Mike Stern, Chick Corea, Chucho Valdés, George Benson, Oumou Sangaré, Manu Dibango, and Salif Keïta. He has since become a star in his own right and has received numerous awards, including a Grammy and the SACEM Jazz Grand Prix. Healso teaches jazz improvisation at New York University and serves as a teacher and mentor to a wide variety of young talents around the world. As a TED speaker and ambassador for various nonprofit organizations and initiatives, he advocates for his political causes. One of hiskey issues is improving living and working conditions for musicians through the democratization of the music industry; his goal is to make business practices in the music industry fairer and more transparent.

At HKW’s Miriam Makeba Auditorium Richard Bona performs with his quintet: featuring Ciro Manna on guitar, Michael Lecoq on piano and keyboards, Nicolas Viccaro on drums, and Alexandre Herichon on trumpet.