Baka Beyond

Originally inspired by the music of the Baka Forest People, Pygmies whose music and dance have been celebrated since the time of the Pharaohs. Baka Beyond use the Baka rhythms to fuse music from the band-members’ Celtic and African roots. The resulting music is highly infectious and crosses boundaries of genre, age and ethnicity.

2018 is Baka Beyond’s 25th anniversary. In October 1993 their groundbreaking album ‘Spirit of the
Forest’ hit the scene to great acclaim. The release is regarded as a classic of the genre. They are celebrating 25 years of recording and performing worldwide, with this UK tour this Autumn. Paddy Le Mercier, the fantastic Breton fiddle player, will be rejoining Baka Beyond for their 25th anniversary tour.

The Story
After seeing a documentary on Channel 4, Martin Cradick and his wife Su Hart packed a tent, tape recorder, camera, guitar and mandolin, and headed off into the forests of Cameroon. There they spent six weeks living, hunting, gathering and playing many hours of music together with the Baka Pygmies. From this experience came two delightful recordings, ‘Heart of the Forest’ and ‘Spirit of The Forest’, which led to the birth of the band Baka Beyond.

The rhythms of the hunter-gatherer Baka People from the Cameroon rainforest resonate with musical styles from all around the world. Also carried in these rhythms and in all Baka Beyond performances is the sense of joyous celebration and inclusion that the Baka bring to all their music. The band brings musicians from different cultures and backgrounds together in a seamless celebration of the Global Village.

After 25 years of touring around the world Baka Beyond’s live show has evolved and developed. The current show includes a multi-media element. Videos from the Cameroon rainforest are projected behind the band, cleverly synchronised with the live music so that the Baka become part of the live show.

It is best described in a review by Pete Taberner in the Bristol Post:

“Seeing and listening to their current live performance [Baka Beyond] transports you right into the life of the people whose music they celebrate.

“Projected onto a large oval screen behind the musicians scenes of forest life provide the perfect backdrop to the music.

“Gentle percussion and reedy sounds are used to evoke the dawn and the awakening insect and bird life. Vocalists Su and Ellie recreate the wordless sounds of the forest creatures.

“It was impossible to resist the relentlessly upbeat nature of the music. There were big smiles on screen, on stage, and in the audience as the music progressed to a final grand dance with everyone standing and moving to the intoxicating rhythm.”

Baka Beyond members still regularly visit the Baka in Cameroon, returning royalties earned by their music and helping them use the money for community development projects through the charity they set up, Global Music Exchange. They have been working with the same extended family group for over 25 years now, helping with health, education, agricultural and musical projects. Baka Beyond’s live show includes song, dance, percussion, musical virtuosity, videos and big smiles all round.

‘…Amazing Gaelic, English and Baka vocals with powerful percussion section, rhythmic guitar and firey fiddle’ – National Geographic Live!

‘…with their fiery rhythms, enchanting harmonies and spectacular dancing…Baka Beyond are definitely a feast for the eyes, heart as well as the ears and feet.’ – Miami Herald

www.bakabeyond.net
www.youtube.com/bakabeyond

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Tickets are £14 in advance, available online from our ticket partner, WeGotTickets (booking fee applies), or the Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays, closed bank holidays). Also available on the door for £17. 10% discount for students*.

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