Francis Bebey

Francis Bebey (, 15 July 1929 in Douala, Cameroon – 28 May 2001 in Paris, France) was a Cameroonian musicologist, writer, composer, and broadcaster.

Early life Francis Bebey was born in Douala, Cameroon, on 15 July 1929. Bebey attended college in Douala, where he studied mathematics, before studying broadcasting at the University of Paris. He moved to the United States and continued to study broadcasting at New York University. In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, and took a job as a broadcaster.

Music career In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. He was also the first African musician to use electric keyboards and programmable drum machines which he set alongside traditional African instruments. His most popular novel was Agatha Moudio's Son. While working at UNESCO from 1961 to 1974, he was able to become the head of the music department in Paris. This job allowed him to research and document traditional African music.

Bebey released his first album in 1969 and would go on to release over 20 albums on Ozileka, between 1975 and 1997. He began his literary career as a journalist in the 1950s and at one time worked as a journalist in Ghana and other African countries for the French radio network, Société de radiodiffusion de la France d'outre-mer (SORAFOM). He was survived by his children Patrick, Toups, and Kidi, as well as his wife.

John Williams' piece "Hello Francis" is written as a tribute to Bebey: "The piece is based on the Makossa, a popular dance rhythm from Cameroon often used by Francis, and includes a quote from his piece The Magic Box and a hidden bit of J.S. Bach."

Arcade Fire's song, "Everything Now," features a flute part from "The Coffee Cola Song" by Francis Bebey. The flute part was played by Patrick Bebey, Francis Bebey's son. He was also awarded the Grand Prix Litteraire De L'Afrique Noire in 1968 for his first novel Le Fils d'Agatha Moudio (Agatha Moudio's Son). The Grand Prix Litteraire De L'Afrique Noire is a literary prize for Black Africa. Additionally, Bebey's novel L'Enfant pluie (Rain Child) won the Prix Saint Exupéry award in 1994.

Discography Albums

Concert Pour Un Vieux Masque, LP, Philips, 1968 Savannah Georgia, LP, Fiesta Records, 1975 Guitare D'Une Autre Rime, LP, Ozileka, 1975 La Condition Masculine, LP, Ozileka, 1976 Fleur Tropicale, LP, Ozileka, 1976 Je Vous Aime Zaime Zaime, LP, Ozileka, 1977 Ballades Africaines, LP, Ozileka, 1978 Priere Aux Masques. LP, Ozileka, 1979 Un Petit Ivoirien, LP, Ozileka, 1979 Afrikanischer Frühling, LP, Marifon, 1980 Haïti - Guitar Music Trio, LP, Ozileka, 1981 Bia So Nika, LP, Ozileka, 1981 Africa Sanza, Ozileka, 1982 New Track, Ozileka, 1982 Pygmy Love Song, LP, Editions Makossa, 1982 Super Bebey - Vingt Plages Ensoleillées, 2xLP, Ozileka, 1983 Sanza Nocturne, Ozileka, 1984 Akwaaba: Music For Sanza, Original Music, 1984 Le Solo De Bruxelles, LP, Ozileka, 1985 Heavy Ghetto, Anti Apartheid Makossa, LP, Ozileka, 1985 Si Les Gaulois Avaient Su!, LP, Blue Silver, 1986 Baobab, LP, Volume, 1988 African Woman, LP, Volume, 1988 World Music Guitar, CD, Ozileka, 1992 Sourire De Lune, CD, Ozileka, 1996

Compilations

Rire Africain, Ozileka, 1981 Nadolo / With Love - Francis Bebey Works: 1963–1994, CD, Original Music, 1995 African Electronic Music 1975–1982, LP/CD, Born Bad Records, 2011 Psychedelic Sanza 1982–1984, LP/CD, Born Bad Records, 2014 La Condition Masculine, CD, Sonodisc