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Bonga Jean-Baptiste


"Bonga" Jean-Baptiste was born in Croix-des-Missions, La Plaine, Haiti, to a family with a long lineage of Vodou tradition.  As a core member of the seminal Haitian roots bands, Boukman Eksperyans and Foulà, Bonga was invited to the U.S. in the '90s when musicians were becoming a strong voice for the Haitian people. Since then, Bonga has continued to play solo and in ensemble and at numerous worldwide venues. He is a featured performer with Peter Yarrow, Grace Jones, Dan Zanes and Urban Tap, to mention a few. His drums opened the NY premiere of the Rolling Stones "Voodoo Lounge" tour and he is prominently featured on recordings by Wyclef Jean and Salif Keita.

SELECTED RECORDINGS (AS SOLO ARTIST)
Ayiti Afrika - Bonga & the Vodou Drums of Haiti (2006)
Kanzo - Bonga (2000)
 
SELECTED RECORDINGS (AS FEATURED ARTIST)
Jazz Racine album with Jacques Schwarz-Bart (2012)
"La Siren", Little Nut Tree with Dan Zanes (2011)
Father Goose - Dan Zanes (2008)
Puff & Other Family Classics - Peter, Bethany & Rufus (2007)
900 Miles - Bethany & Rufus (2006)
All Around The Kitchen - Dan Zanes (2004)
Caravane - Urban Tap (2001)
Zinga - Eddy Francois (2000)
Voyage of Dreams - Jephté Guillaume (1997)
Raw Material: Kote Moun Yo - DJ Hiro & Masabumi Kikuchi (1996)
Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival (1997)
"JuJu" Remix - Salif Keita  (1997)
 
FEATURED PERFORMER/ACCOMPANIST
Peter Yarrow
Bethany & Rufus
Dan Zanes
Boukman Eksperyans
Boukan Guinen
Celia Cruz
Grace Jones
Pat Hall Dance
Papa Jube & the Jubelation Band
Rara Machine
Urban Tap
Tète Kale Orchestra
Jean Paul Bourelly
Emeline Michel
Foulà
Jean-Léon Destiné
Martha Jean-Claude
Blanche Brown/Petit La Croix