SEKOU Sekou Bunch

• 1Catano04:51
• 2Pastels06:28
• 3Night On The Town05:36
• 4As A Matter Of Fact06:49
• 5What? Mr. Bunch05:20
• 6Dolphin Dance06:19
• 7Seven Steps To Heaven06:17
• 8Footprints07:12
• 9Let's Jam01:42
• 10Naima04:44
• 11Day In The Sahara09:28
• Total Runtime01:04:46

Info for SEKOU

“What? Mr. Bunch” neatly frames the question: how do you define Sekou Bunch as a musician? obviously, he is an electric bass-player of extraordinary talent. To my ears it goes further than that: he is simply the best I’ve ever heard. Note particularly on “catano”, “As A Matter of Fact”, “night on The Town” and “Pastels” that Sekou plays the Tenor-Bass melody with the pyrotechnical skill that will be admired by the most accomplished guitarists! Further yet the man writes some lovely tunes; and further still he is a cool, calm and collected musical director who never loses his head, even under the most musically trying circumstances. It is getting late at night (read early morning), some of the best are battling... but Sekou never misses a beat (or a solo-trick), never loses his smile of sheer musical enjoyment: he uplift and inspired everybody to give of their best and they respond... You hold the results of their collective talents in your hands now. Sekou molded his repertoire around some of the most interesting (and diverse) players around California and demonstrated a whole palette of sound-colors in his arrangements. So those are my impressions and experiences with Sekou Bunch. Trumpeter Tom Browne chose Sekou for his gold album “Funkin’ for Jamaica” (and as co-writer on the hit single “Thighs high”). Anita Baker selected Sekou for her Platinum album “Givin’ you the best that I got”. He has toured the world with Melba Moore, Tom Browne, Phyllis Hyman, Dave Grusin, Jocylyn Brown, Freddie Hubbard, Dayton, Randy Crawford, Bernard Wright, George Duke, Anita Baker and Sheena easton... All in all we’re in pretty good company in choosing Sekou Bunch for our VITAL label.

Karen Briggs, violin (tracks 2, 5, 7)
Jim Oppenheim, saxophone (tracks 2, 5, 7, 11)
Keith Fiddmont, saxophone (tracks 6, 8)
Nick Smith, piano (tracks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11)
Tom MacMorran, piano (tracks 1, 3, 4)
Doc Powell, guitar (tracks 1, 3, 4, 9)
Kevin Turner, guitar (tracks 8, 10, 11)
Nolan Smith, trumpet (tracks 6, 8)
Rayford Griffin, drums (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
Vince Wilburn, drums (tracks 10, 11)
Terri-Lynne Carrington, drums (track 6)
Bill Summers, percussion (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11)
Nenge Hernandez, percussion (track 11)
Richard Requeri, precision (track 11)
Keith Jones, fretless bass (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4)
Tenor Bass, fretless bass
Sekou Bunch, fretless bass (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4)
Sekou Bunch, bass (tracks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)

Sekou Bunch
Born and raised in New York, Sekou Bunch began pursuing his creative talents at an early age. One of his first paintings was put on display at the Museum of Art in New York when he was just seven years old. At this time, Bunch also began dancing in local talent shows, often taking first prize. He later became one of the original break dancers in the Bronx, where he often attended the famed "DJ Kool Herc" parties. At age 15, Bunch picked up a bass guitar and, with the help of his Uncle Ralph, found his true passion. Three years later, Bunch recorded his first professional record, Funkin' for Jamaica, an LP that eventually went gold. While honing his skills, he completed two years of college at St. Francis College and Glendale Community College.

Currently a professional jazz musician, Bunch continues to tour, record and act. He plays electric bass, double bass, clarinet, guitar and piano. He has recorded and performed with Will Downing, Lalah Hathaway, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Coolio, Michael Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Luther Vandross, Roger Daltry, Paul Anka, Anita Baker, Wayne Shorter, Ray Charles and Ice Cube, among others. He co-wrote the Tom Browne single, "Thighs High." He appeared in the feature films "Coming to America," "Wild Orchid" and "Byrd." He has also played on numerous commercials and soundtracks, having most recently recorded the bass for the feature film "The Fast and the Furious 3." He can also be seen in the upcoming feature film "Dreamgirls." In addition, Bunch will release a new CD of his own entitled The Next Level in December 2006.

Bunch enjoys gardening, painting, drawing, reading and writing. He also enjoys basketball, racquetball and lifting weights. He is most proud of obtaining his first Gold Record Award when he was just 19 years old.

Bunch currently resides in Los Angeles. He has three children, Brandis, Brooke, Shalonda, a step daughter Kai, a fiancée, Toi, and is a proud grandfather to Carlos and Shelby

Booklet for SEKOU