Who we really are - biographies of Baka Beyond

Martin Cradick
Guitar, mandolin, percussion and producer
"...Martin's constantly inventive rhythm and lead-guitar runs are truly outstanding and he is probably one of the most unsung guitar masters working today." Dirty Linen magazine
Cornish father, Welsh mother, grew up in Kent, now lives in Bath.
After several years surviving by busking round the world and playing with many musicians met on the way he pioneered World Music fusion in 1988 with didgeridoo player Graham Wiggins in the band "Outback". Founded "Baka Beyond" after visiting the Baka Pygmy hunter-gatherers in the Cameroon rainforest in 1992 with his wife Su Hart. He regularly returns to Cameroon and stays with the Baka in the rainforest to oversee charity projects and to get further inspiration from playing music with them.

Su Hart
Vocals, percussion
British, grew up in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, now lives in Bath.
Initiated into baka women's "Yelli" singing and extensively trained in gallic singing. Grew up singing in church and clubs learning many traditional Geordie songs (from Newcastle/Northumberland). Survived by busking, played in several bands and travelled extensively song gathering before living and learning with the Baka. Apart from singing in Baka Beyond she teaches children and adults about the singing of the Baka, teaches teachers music and runs a community choir.

Paddy Le Mercier
Violin, whistles, bombarde (traditional Breton reeded instrument)
Originally from Brittany - the Celtic part of France - grew up in Paris and now lives in Toulouse, France.
Played on first album, 'Spirit of the Forest', and has been with the band since the beginning.
Played with French Folk-Rock band, Malicorne as well as Outback and Baka Beyond.
Met Martin while they were both living in Oxford in the early 1980s and they have played together ever since.

Kibisingo Douglas
Bass
From Kinshasa, Congo, now lives in London.
Has toured across Africa, Europe and America with Zairian legend Kanda Bongo Man.
He joined Baka Beyond in 2005 and has slotted in perfectly adding an authentic Congolese root to the music. With his solid grooves Baka Beyond live is more potent than ever.

Tim Robinson
Drums
From UK, lives in Bristol
He joined Baka Beyond in 2000 at short notice when their Senegalese drummer was refused a visa just before a national tour. Before then he had already enjoyed a varied playing career with session credits that include Oscar-nominated animation, Welsh-language folk music and TV drama. He has recorded dozens of albums for many different artists and toured extensively with, among others, cult favourites Stackridge and jam-band pioneers Daily Planet.

Denise Rowe
Singer, dancer, Percussion
Dancer, singer and mbira player, Denise Rowe has roots in Jamaica and the UK where she grew up. Over the last twelve years, Denise has studied dance in Ghana, Senegal, Zimbabwe, the UK and with the Baka in the Cameroonian rainforest. As well as Baka Beyond, Denise performs with Sakoba Dance Theatre, Spirit Talk Mbira, Chimanimani and has her own dance company, Tolo Ko Tolo. Denise has ten years experience of leading traditional and contemporary pan African dance workshops around the world and has created a number of short films. She joined Baka Beyond in 2000.

Nii Tagoe
Percussion (djembe, panlogo, sogo, balafon, calabash)
Nii Tagoe was born in Accra, Ghana, into a royal family made up of master drummers and dancers, from whom he inherited his talent for drumming, dancing and singing.
As principal percussionist of Baka Beyond since 1997, Nii brings to all his work a lifetime's immersion in his deep knowledge of the diverse dance and rhythmic traditions of Ghana. His experience is gained from 15 years of travel, learning and performing around the African continent to touring productions and workshops around Europe, Israel, Canada, The Middle East, Japan and Singapore.
He came to Britain in 1990 as a principal dancer, drummer and teacher in the Adzido Dance Company and has since choreographed many dances, including Peter Gabriel's floor show at the London Millennium Dome.

Press Release
History of Baka Beyond
Watch promo video
listen to a recent Baka Beyond gig