PASCAL BOKAR
Genres: World Fusion, Pop, Art Song, Folk, Hard Bop • France

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 read more...