When he was 14, he heard that a Frenchman in the nearby town of Douala wanted to start a jazz club. Although he knew next to nothing about jazz, Bona, a fast learner, was recommended. He learned enough listening full-time to the Frenchman's large LP collection to open in three weeks. Eventually, Bona moved to New York. Occasionally he tours Cameroon.
Jazz is everywhere.
Mike Zwerin has been jazz and rock critic for the International Herald Tribune for the last twenty years. He was also the European correspondent for The Village Voice. If you value this page, please tell a friend or join our mailing list .