Pascal Bokar

A professor of Jazz and World Music at the University of San Francisco for nearly a decade, Bokar recently released his fourth album, Guitar Balafonics, replete with his jazz influence founded in his African roots. The CD is the story of an African in America, a West African footprint in an American art form and is currently charting on JazzWeek. His three previous releases Yoni Bi, Savanna Jazz Club and Beyond the Blue Sky, all show a synergy of musical backgrounds. Bokar currently leads two ensembles: Pascal Bokar AfroFunk Band and the Pascal Bokar AfroJazz ensemble.

West African dancers enhance the visual realm as they move to the lively mix of guitar, piano, upright bass, drums and West African percussion. The AfroJazz Ensemble performs original compositions based on West African rhythms mixed with a funky flair and Pascal Bokar’s jazzy influence. Several of the musicians in the group have been working with Pascal for over a decade, and it shows. Sporting wild colors and traditional costuming, this lively group, along with its high-energy dancers, gets the audience off their feet and dancing at every show.

He is also the author of From Timbuktu to the Mississippi Delta, a book with a foreword by NEA Jazz Master, Composer, Pianist Randy Weston and praises from UCLA scholar Robin D.G. Kelly, Ph.D. and Willard Jenkins Downbeat, JazzTimes. This book explores how West African standards of aesthetics and sociocultural traits have moved into mainstream American culture and become social norms. Pascal began his formal studies at the National Conservatory of Region in Nice, France in 1980, then moved to Boston in 1983 to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music.

After performing for many years, he returned to school, earning a Master’s Degree from Cambridge College in 1998. In 2006 he earned his Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of San Francisco and joined the faculty soon after. Bokar also owns and manages Savanna Jazz club in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission district. Pascal has been blessed to play with a dazzling array of outstanding musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Donald Byrd, and for several years, Donald ‘Duck’ Bailey.

His conversations with Diz about re-introducing African rhythms and textures into American jazz and popular music profoundly affected Pascal in his ongoing musical quest. His ensembles have played in concert halls and at World Music and Jazz Festivals all over the U.S. and internationally and are currently seeking engagements for both ensembles for festivals and concerts. In an engaging mixed media presentation, including his own documentary, this West African jazz guitarist and University of San Francisco professor illuminates the African origins of contemporary music and its culture at seminars, master classes and residencies, based upon his vast knowledge and highly regarded book.

Guitarist/composer Pascal Bokar ....

Guitarist/composer Pascal Bokar is the embodiment of the deep cultural connection between American Jazz and its African musical and spiritual roots.  Born in Paris, raised in Segou, Mali and Dakar, Senegal, and longtime resident of San Francisco, Dr. Bokar has cultivated an impressive array of disciplines that reflect his unique experience: composer, guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, educator and curator of jazz history.

While studying in France in 1981, Pascal connected with the esteemed French saxophonist, Barney Wilen, and for the next two years performed with him in festivals throughout Europe. Moving to the U.S. in 1983, Pascal was blessed to perform with a dazzling array of outstanding musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Donald Byrd, and for several years, Donald ‘Duck’ Bailey. His conversations with Diz about re-introducing African rhythms and textures into American jazz and popular music profoundly affected Pascal in his ongoing musical quest.

A professor of Jazz and World Music at the University of San Francisco for nearly a decade, Dr. Bokar began his formal studies at the National Conservatory of Region in Nice, France in 1980. In 1983, he moved to Boston to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music. After performing for many years, he returned to school, earning a Master’s Degree from Cambridge College in 1998. In 2006 he earned his Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of San Francisco and joined the faculty soon after.

Dr. Bokar currently leads two ensembles: The AfroJazz Sextet (guitar, Kora, piano, upright bass, drums and West African percussion) and World Band (guitar, fiddle, banjo and two West African percussionists). Traditional African dancers are available to perform with both ensembles.

He is the author of From Timbuktu to the Mississippi Delta: How West African Standards of Aesthetics Shaped the Music of the Delta Blues.

For more information about Pascal Bokar, please visit http://www.pascalbokar.com

From West Africa: Pascal Bokar Guitarist

Guitarist / composer Pascal Bokar is the embodiment of the deep cultural connection between American Jazz and its African musical and spiritual roots. Based in San Francisco, he is immersed in a whirlwind of activities that cover an impressive array of disciplines as composer, guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, educator and curator.

·       Pascal is featured in The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide by noted jazz historian and journalist Scott Yanow (Backbeat Books). The lengthy entry highlights Pascal’s life from his birth in Paris through his upbringing in Segou, Mali and Dakar, Senegal and the many experiences and accomplishments he has had with great artists and influences in his quest for musical profundity and depth of knowledge. It also offers recommendations for a few of his outstanding recordings

·       Initially playing locally in Dakar with a group called Awkaba, Pascal connected with the esteemed French saxophonist Barney Wilen while studying in France in 1981, appearing with him at Festivals throughout Europe for the next two years. Moving to the U.S. in 1983, he began to perform with a dazzling array of outstanding musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Donald Byrd, and for several years with Donald ‘Duck’ Bailey. His many conversations with Diz about re-introducing African rhythms and textures into American jazz and popular music profoundly affected Pascal in his ongoing musical quest. Pascal’s performing focus has been primarily devoted to his own ensembles since 1994.

·       A noted and highly regarded educator (under his full name Pascal Bokar Thiam), Pascal began his formal studies at the National Conservatory of Region in Nice, France in 1980. In 1983, he moved to Boston to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music. Pursuing his education in the world of performance for many years, Pascal returned to school and earned a Master’s Degree from Cambridge College in 1998. In 2006 he earned his Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of San Francisco, where he has taught Jazz and World Music in its Visual and Performing Arts Division ever since. He is also the author of From Timbuktu to the Mississippi Delta (Cognella) a book with a foreword by NEA Jazz Master, Composer, Pianist Randy Weston and praises from UCLA scholar Robin D.G. Kelly, Ph.D. and Willard Jenkins Downbeat, JazzTimes.

·       Currently Pascal leads two different ensembles: The AfroJazz Sextet (guitar, Kora, piano, upright bass, drums and West African percussion) and World Band (guitar, fiddle, banjo and two West African percussionists. Traditional African dancers are available to perform with both ensembles.

·       Pascal’s ensembles have played in concert halls and at World Music and Jazz Festivals all over the U.S. and internationally and are currently seeking engagements for both ensembles for festivals and concerts; as well as seminars, master classes and residencies based upon his highly regarded book.

For bookings, please contact Barbara Collin; CollinArtists@gmail.com  323 467 4702 http://www.collinartists.com