Bongo Herman

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Bongo Herman
Also known asHerman Davis
Born (1944-09-16) 16 September 1944 (age 78)
Origin Kingston, Jamaica
Genres Reggae
Instrument(s) Drums, percussion
Years activeearly 1960s–present

Herman Davis (born 16 September 1944), better known as Bongo Herman, is a Jamaican hand-drummer, percussionist and singer who has had a successful career stretching back to the early 1960s.

Contents

Biography

Herman Davis was born on 16 September 1944, [1] and grew up in the Trench Town area of Kingston. [2] He began playing in the late 1950s, and in the 1960s performed on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour , and in Kingston's live music scene. In 1966 he performed at the visit to Jamaica of Haile Selassie. [2] Herman's recording career began in 1969. [1] He recorded as a duo with Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont in the early 1970s for producer Derrick Harriott, having hits in Jamaica including "Know For I" in 1971. [3] He moved on to record for Harry Mudie in the mid-1970s. [4] In the 1970s and 1980s he was much in demand as a studio musician, recording with The Abyssinians (including kété drums on "Satta Masa Gana"), Jimmy Cliff, Prince Far I, the Congos, Culture, the Revolutionaries, Roots Radics, and Mikey Dread. [1] [5] He acted as percussionist for The Itals for several years. [1]

He made an acting appearance in the 1978 film Rockers , of which he commented "Me was the first man in Jamaica to break-dance in a movie". [2] [5] He also features in the 2009 documentary Rock Steady the Roots of Reggae. [6]

During the 1990s he continued to work with many of Jamaica's top stars including Beenie Man, Capleton (with whom he toured Europe in 2003/4), Sizzla, Lady Saw, and U-Roy, and in the 2000s recorded with Mutabaruka and Gyptian. [1] [7] The digital era proved no barrier, with Herman stating "Once yuh is a professional musician yuh will fit inna anything, even a steel band; yuh have various type a percussion fi play, yuh jus' have fi know how to mix it inna di rhythm." [5]

His live performances often include the playing of a chamber pot and an enamel chimney. [8] [9]

Discography

Albums

Singles

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Moskowitz, p. 133
  2. 1 2 3 Edwards
  3. ↑ Larkin, p. 26
  4. ↑ Larkin, p. 205
  5. 1 2 3 Campbell
  6. ↑ Walters
  7. ↑ YardFlex, 7 October 2005
  8. ↑ Cooke
  9. ↑ Spaulding

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References

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