Cameroonian singer-songwriter Blick Bassy will perform with his three-piece band at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room this September.
Described by The Guardian as ‘one of Africa’s most inventive and distinctive singer-songwriters’ in a five-star review, Bassy’s Liverpool date follows the acclaimed release of his album 1958 – a defiant tribute to the heroes who fought and died for the independence of his native Cameroon.
The album’s focus is specific, but its themes – the bondage of neo-colonialism, the need for heroes, the relevance of history and the search for the true identity – are universal.
In addition to The Guardian, Bassy has received rave reviews from the likes of The London Evening Standard, The Observer and Songlines Magazine, as well as being played by Lauren Laverne, Gideon Coe and Cerys Matthews on 6 Music and by Max Reinhardt and Mary Anne Kennedy on BBC Radio 3. His music was also chosen by tech giants Apple for a worldwide ad campaign.
The show in Liverpool comes ahead of Africa Oyé’s 30th Anniversary celebrations in 2022, with many more events due to take place across the city region, alongside their flagship festival in Sefton Park; scheduled to return after what will be a two-year absence due to the pandemic.
Blick Bassy formed his first band in Cameroon at the age of 17 – The Jazz Crew. They later developed into Macase, inventive jazz fusion group inspired by local rhythms with three vocalists, all singing a different Cameroonian language. After 10 years with Macase, Blick moved to Paris. After collaborating with a wide range of artists he eventually released his debut album Léman in 2009, fusing West African and Central African rhythms. This was followed it up two years later with HongoCalling, recorded in Brazil, following his research into the musical link – mainly through slavery – between Cameroon and Brazil.
Blick Bassy will perform at the Liverpool Philharmonic’s Music Room on 19th September, 2021. Tickets are on sale now and can be bought from the Philharmonic’s website here.
