Home » Jazz Musicians » Etienne Mbappe

Etienne Mbappe

With a rich, singing tone and an unerring gift for melody, bassist Etienne Mbappé imparts even the most demanding musical contexts with a grace, warmth, and humanity that transcends boundaries, genres, and languages. His gifts have been put to use as a member of John McLaughlin’s 4th Dimension and the Ringers (with Jimmy Herring, Wayne Krantz, Michael Landau, and Gary Novak), along sideman appearances with Joe Zawinul, Manu Dibango, Robben Ford, Salif Keita, Ray Charles, Steps Ahead, and saxophonist Bill Evans. Now audiences can experience Mbappé's own music via How Near How Far (available on DATE through Abstract Logix), his forth solo album and the first to focus on his instrumental music.

How Near How Far also marks the debut of Mbappé's new band the Prophets – featuring Christophe Cravéro (acoustic and electric piano), Anthony Jambon (guitars), Clément Janinet (violin), Arno de Casanove (trumpet, flugelhorn), Hervé Gourdikian (tenor saxophone), and Nicholas Viccaro (drums, percussion). With the unusual trumpet/tenor/violin frontline leading the way, the Prophets explore eleven Mbappé originals, which touch on a number of international traditions while bridging cultural divides via deft musicianship and a thoughtful, conversational improvisational approach. “My music is influenced by places I have traveled, people I meet, colors I see, flavors that I taste, fun that I’ve had, and, sometimes, the pain that I feel,” Mbappé explains. “We live in a complex world today. I want nothing more than to bring that joy and understanding to people through music.”

Tags

16
Play This!

Étienne Mbappé & The Prophets: Johnji

Read "Étienne Mbappé & The Prophets: Johnji" reviewed by Mike Jacobs


In a live session, the Gloved One and his marvelous band The Prophets perform a composition written for John McLaughlin--(MBappe's employer/band mate in the 4th Dimension). From their album How Near How How Far (Abstract Logix, 2016). ...

9
Liner Notes

The Trackers featuring Gary Husband & Alf Terje Hana: Vaudeville 8:45

Read "The Trackers featuring Gary Husband & Alf Terje Hana: Vaudeville 8:45" reviewed by Mike Jacobs


What appears next on a resumé as weighty as Gary Husband's is always a matter of musical interest. Even with long and satisfying associations with legends like John McLaughlin and Allan Holdsworth, the talented drummer/keyboardist continually seeks different worthy and intriguing paths to explore--whatever his vehicle of expression. So when his latest project is co-led by a comparatively under-the-radar musician--in this case, Norwegian guitarist Alf Terje Hana--additional curiosity ensues. To that end, the story of their collaboration begins with both ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

New releases from Scary Goldings, Etienne Mbappe, Marriage Material, Mark Lettieri

Read "New releases from Scary Goldings, Etienne Mbappe, Marriage Material, Mark Lettieri" reviewed by Len Davis


New releases from Etienne Mbappe, Mark Lettieri, Scary Goldings, Marriage Material, David Garfield, and Miles Davis from a 1991 concert in Vienna. Playlist Scary Goldings “Bruise Cruise" from Bruise Cruise (Pockets) 00:00 Svarc Hanley Longhawn"Little Brother" from 20/21 (SHL) 05:49 Disconnections “Final Step" from Disconnections (Self Produced) 11:38 Marriage Material “Remi Problemi" from Marriage Material (Delta Music) 17:21 Mark Lettieri “Red Dwarf" from Deep:The Baritone Sessions (GroundUp) 23:07 David Garfield “Winning Waves" from Stretchin' Outside The Box (Creatchy) ...

14
Album Review

John McLaughlin: Liberation Time

Read "Liberation Time" reviewed by Geno Thackara


Perhaps the biggest success of Liberation Time is that its title feels sincere and not ironic. Such a sentiment could have easily come out as a cute bit of wishful thinking under the restrictions of pandemic life. Being who he is, though, John McLaughlin inevitably finds the value and positivity even in this strange state of affairs. “The wonderful thing about music is that you put the headphones on and you are all in the same room," he says in ...

26
Talking 2 Musicians

Etienne Mbappe: Silky Master of the 4th Dimension

Read "Etienne Mbappe: Silky Master of the 4th Dimension" reviewed by Alan Bryson


Etienne Mbappe plays bass so smoothly that you could imagine he wears silk gloves—and you would be correct. In fact he is the only musician in the world who has an endorsement deal with a silk glove manufacturer. He is a musician's musician, a world class bassist based in Paris. Originally from Cameroon in Western Africa, he began his musical career in Paris in the 80s, playing with the leading names on the African music scene. He toured with the ...

360
Album Review

Etienne Mbappe: Su La Take

Read "Su La Take" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Little wonder that the late keyboardist Joe Zawinul recruited Cameroonian vocalist/bassist Etienne Mbappe to the Syndicate in 2001. His honey-sweet, yet smoky vocals, enviable writing and arranging skills and an electric bass technique second to none have also attracted the likes of kora player Toumani Diabte, guitarist/singer Ali Farka Tourre, guitarist Nguyen Le and singers Ray Charles and Salif Keita. Little wonder too, that Mbappe struck out on his own in 2003; judging by the results of Su La Take, ...

387
Album Review

Etienne Mbapp: Misiya

Read "Misiya" reviewed by Annika Westman


Fairly unknown to big audiences, but at the same time one of the most talented African bass players, Etienne Mbappé has, since moving to Paris from his home country Cameroon in the '70s, played with musicians such as Joe Zawinul, Manu Dibango, Salif Keita, and his own fusion bands Chic and Ultramarine.

Misiya, his first solo album, definitely belongs in the same genre as Richard Bona's, soft well-arranged modern African music, where the vocals, using the soft Douala language, have ...

Read more articles

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Vaudeville 8​:​45

Abstract Logix
2022

buy

Liberation Time

Abstract Logix
2021

buy

Su La Take

O+ Music
2008

buy

Misiya

O+ Music
2005

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.