Who we really are - biographies of Baka Beyond

Martin Cradick (46)
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 (47)
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 (52)
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.

Seckou Keita (30)
Percussion (djembe, panlogo, sogo, tama, calabash) kora (African Harp)
Mother from the Cissokho family of griots from Mali
Grew up in Ziguinchor, Casamance, southern Senegal.
Nephew to Solo Cissokho with whom he also regularly plays
Martin met him in Ziguinchor but it was not until he moved to UK in 1998 that he joined Baka Beyond. Although he is the percussionist with Baka Beyond he is also a skilled kora player, playing solo concerts at WOMAD in Australia and Singapore as well as supporting both Salif Keita and Youssou N'Dour when they came to Britain. He has his own band is beginning to make a name for himself on the European World Music circuit.

Kibisingo Douglas (39)
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 (45)
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 (31)
Singer, dancer, Percussion
Father Jamaican, mother British
Grew up in Midlands, UK
Has studied dance in UK & Ghana as well as with the Baka in SE Cameroon and in 2007 in Zimbabwe. Her unique energetic dance style and harmony vocals have added a new edge to the Baka Beyond performances. She joined Baka Beyond in 2000.

Nii Tagoe (35)
Percussion (djembe, panlogo, sogo, balafon, calabash)
Born in Accra, Ghana, into a royal family from whom he inherited his talent for drumming, dancing and singing. He came to Britain as a principal dancer and drummer in the Adzido dance company. Joined Baka Beyond in 1997.

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