Richard Bona (born 28 October 1967 in Minta, Cameroon) is a Grammy-winning bassist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist who has lived in New York since 1995. Growing up in a family of griots and singers, he taught himself guitar and bass as a child before moving to Paris in 1989 and later joining Joe Zawinul's Syndicate in New York. His music weaves Cameroonian tradition with jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban rhythms, and he has recorded or toured with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Bobby McFerrin, among many others. He also teaches Jazz Improvisation at NYU and is a TED speaker.
Bona performed with the Fusion Experience Quartet (alongside Dave Weckl) at Teatro Comunale in Caserta, Italy, in April 2025.
Bona released a new single 'Piel Canela', a collaboration with Grammy-nominated pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, in early January 2025.
Bona toured North America with his Asante Trio - featuring Cuban pianist Jesús Pupo and drummer Ludwig Afonso - at the start of 2025, with a European tour to follow.
Bona performed at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt am Main on 11 February 2026.
Bona announced a Latin America tour covering Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil in 2026.
Chamber concert by world-class bassist Richard Bona and his quintet. An evening of virtuosic and energetic music.
Chamber concert featuring world-class bassist Richard Bona and his quintet. An evening of energy and musical mastery.
A concert by the world-renowned Cameroonian bassist and vocalist, master of bass guitar.
A special night of African music with world-class artists - bassist Richard Bona and vocalist Fatoumata Diawara performing together.