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Richard Bona: Exploring Roots, Freedom, and Global Sounds
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Richard Bona
bass, electricb.1967
Ludwig Afonso
drumsBona's new single, "Piel Canela," a collaboration with Grammy-nominated pianist
Alfredo Rodriguez
pianob.1985
But beyond his music, Bona opened up about the freedoms he's embraced as an independent artist. "Art should be free," he explained. "I've been with record labels, and they tell you, 'We need a Christmas album,' or 'We need this type of song.' But art doesn't work that way. Some mornings, I wake up uninspired. On other days, everything I touch sounds good. I want to create when I feel it's right—not on a schedule!"
For Bona, independence isn't just about financial control—it's about staying true to his artistic vision. "When I sell 20,000 albums independently, that's all mine. When I was with a label selling 200,000, I saw nothing."
Following his Yoshi's performances, Bona will embark on a European tour in February, featuring collaborations with orchestras like Metropole and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. "Playing with orchestras elevates my music to another level," he said. "These are some of the best musicians in the world. It's like a perfect month for me—different bands, different arrangements, and two solo concerts in Sweden. It keeps me creatively alive."
Bona's love for collaboration extends beyond the orchestras. The Asante Trio, his Yoshi's lineup, is another example of this. "This trio brings together the backbone of African and Cuban music," he said. "Jesus Pupo and Ludwig Afonso are young, brilliant musicians who can play anything. Mixing their energy with my African roots creates something magical!"
Throughout this episode, Bona returned to a central theme: empowering young musicians. He emphasized the importance of honing your craft before striving for independence. "Focus on being good at what you do," he advised. "Once you're great, independence becomes a natural next step. But first, you have to be ready."
He also spoke candidly about the challenges of being an independent artist in today's music landscape. "The system isn't built for artists to be free," Bona said. "But freedom allows you to create on your terms. It's why I mentor young talents—to show them there's a way to navigate this industry without losing their authenticity."
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Radio & Podcasts
Richard Bona
Steven Roby
United States
California
san francisco
Jesús Pupo
Ludwig Afonso
Alfredo Rodriguez
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Richard Bona Concerts
Sep
16
Tue
Richard Bona Presents: Asante Trio
Teatro ColiseoCentro, Argentina
Sep
18
Thu
Richard Bona Presents: Asante Trio
Estação Motiva CulturalS?o Paulo, Brazil
Oct
29
Wed
Richard Bona Group Feat. Kornel Mogyoro
Eiffel M?helyházBudapest, Hungary
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