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Francis Bebey (French: [bəbɛ], 15 July 1929 in Douala, Cameroon – 28 May 2001 in Paris, France) was a Cameroonian writer and composer.

Francis Bebey
Born(1929-07-15)15 July 1929
Douala, French Cameroun
Died28 May 2001(2001-05-28) (aged 71)
Paris, France
GenresMakossa, classical guitar, jazz, pop, electronic
Occupation(s)Artist, musician, poet, writer, radio broadcaster
InstrumentsGuitar, sanza, flute, percussion
Years active1969–2000

Early life


Francis Bebey was born in Douala, Cameroon, on 15 July 1929.[1] Bebey attended college in Douala, where he studied mathematics, before going to study broadcasting at the University of Paris. Moving to the United States, he continued to study broadcasting at New York University.[2] In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah, and took a job as a broadcaster.[3]


Music career


In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. His most popular novel was Agatha Moudio's Son. While working at UNESCO from 1961-74, he was able to become the head of the music department in Paris.[4][2][3] This job allowed him to research and document traditional African music.[5]

Bebey released his first album in 1969. His music was primarily guitar-based, but he integrated traditional African instruments and synthesizers as well. Though Bebey is currently praised for his music, his musical taste created controversy with his native music when he first started off.[6] His style merged Cameroonian makossa with classical guitar, jazz, and pop,[7] and was considered by critics to be groundbreaking, "intellectual, humorous, and profoundly sensual".[3] He sang in Duala, English, and French.[7]

Bebey helped launch the career of Manu Dibango.[8] Bebey released more than 20 albums over his career,[9] and was also known for his poetry, including Black tears (1963), a poem dedicated to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.[2]


Literary career


Bebey wrote novels, poetry, plays, tales, short stories, and nonfiction works.[10] He began his literary career as a journalist in the 1950s and at one time worked as a journalist in Ghana and other African countries for the French radio network, Société de radiodiffusion de la France d'outre-mer (SORAFOM).[10]

Bebey's first novel, Le Fils d'Agatha Moudio (Agatha Moudio's Son), was published in 1967 and awarded the Grand prix littéraire d'Afrique noire in 1968; it remains his best-known work.[10] His novel, L'Enfant pluie (The Child of Rain), published in 1994, was awarded the Prize Saint Exupéry.[10]

In addition to exploring childhood and adult experiences in his works, Bebey also wrote tales drawn from the African oral tradition.[10]


Death and legacy


Bebey died in Paris, France, on 28 May 2001. His survivors include his children Patrick, Toups, and Kidi Bebey, and his wife.[11]

John Williams' piece "Hello Francis" is written as a tribute to Bebey: "The piece is based on the Makossa, a popular dance rhythm from Cameroon often used by Francis, and includes a quote from his piece The Magic Box and a hidden bit of J.S. Bach."[12]

Arcade Fire's song, "Everything Now," features a flute part from "The Coffee Cola Song" by Francis Bebey.[13][14] The flute part was played by Patrick Bebey, Francis Bebey's son.[14]


Awards


Francis Bebey was awarded the Grand Prix de la Mémoire of the GPLA 2013 for his literary legacy. The Grand Prix de la Mémoire is an award dedicated to major writers of contemporary Cameroonian literature who have died.[15] He was also awarded the Grand Prix Litteraire De L'Afrique Noire in 1968 for his first novel Le Fils d'Agatha Moudio (Agatha Moudio's Son). [16] The Grand Prix Litteraire De L'Afrique Noire is a literary prize for Black Africa. His novel L'Enfant pluie (Rain Child) won the Prix Saint Exupéry in 1994. The Prix Saint Exupéry award is given to writers whose books love young people and the young people love their books.[17]


Discography



Albums



Compilations



Bibliography



Works by Bebey[10]



See also



Notes


  1. "Francis Bebey". The Independent. 31 May 2001. Archived from the original on 11 August 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  2. Southern 1982, p. 31.
  3. DeLancey & DeLancey 2000, p. 48.
  4. "Bebey, Francis 1929–2001 | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  5. "Francis Bebey | Cameroonian writer and composer". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  6. THURBER, JON (2001-06-25). "Francis Bebey; Influential Composer of Contemporary African Music". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  7. Hudgens & Trillo 1999, p. 1182.
  8. Mbaku 2005, p. 198.
  9. West 2004, p. 19.
  10. Gikandi, Simon (2002). Encyclopedia of African Literature. Taylor & Francis. pp. 71–72. ISBN 9780203361269.
  11. THURBER, JON (2001-06-25). "Francis Bebey; Influential Composer of Contemporary African Music". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  12. "Notes". John Williams: The Guitarist's Music Site. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  13. Pontecorvo, Adriane. "Arcade Fire - 'Everything Now' (Singles Going Steady)". PopMatters. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  14. DeVille, Chris. "Arcade Fire Announce New Album Everything Now". Stereogum. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  15. "Littérature – GPAL 2013: Francis Bebey désigné grand prix de la mémoire". Actualite en Afrique et Cameroun. Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  16. "Francis Bebey | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  17. "Prix Saint-Exupéry". www.prixsaintexupery.fr (in French). Retrieved 2018-11-18.

References



На других языках

[de] Francis Bebey

Francis Bebey (geboren 15. Juli 1929 in Douala, Cameroun; gestorben 28. Mai 2001 in Paris) war ein kamerunisch-französischer Musiker und Schriftsteller.
- [en] Francis Bebey

[es] Francis Bebey

Francis Bebey (Duala, 15 de julio de 1929 - París, 28 de mayo de 2001) fue un escritor, periodista y cantautor camerunés.[1]

[ru] Бебей, Франсис

Франсис Бебей (15 июля 1929, Дуала, Камерун — 28 мая 2001, Париж, Франция[10]) — камерунский скульптор, музыкант, певец и писатель.


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