Francis Bebey

Francis Bebey was born on July 15, 1929, in Douala. Educated at the University of Paris and New York University, he served for years as head of the music department at UNESCO in Paris.

A versatile genius, Bebey won the Grand Prix Litteraire d'Afrique Noire in 1968 for his delightful satirical novel Le Fils d'Agatha Moudio ('Agatha Moudio's Son'). As an ethnomusicologist, his 1969 book African Music: A People's Art became the definitive global introduction to traditional African music. As a performer, he revived the traditional sanza (thumb piano) and pygmies' bamboo flute, blending them with classical guitar and electronic synthesisers.