Herman Davis (born 16 September 1944), better known as Bongo Herman, is a Jamaican hand-drummer, percussionist and singer who has had a successful career stretching back to the early 1960s.
He made an acting appearance in the 1978 film Rockers, of which he commented "Me was the first man in Jamaica to break-dance in a movie".[2][5] He also features in the 2009 documentary Rock Steady the Roots of Reggae.[6]
During the 1990s he continued to work with many of Jamaica's top stars including Beenie Man, Capleton (with whom he toured Europe in 2003/4), Sizzla, Lady Saw, and U-Roy, and in the 2000s recorded with Mutabaruka and Gyptian.[1][7] The digital era proved no barrier, with Herman stating "Once yuh is a professional musician yuh will fit inna anything, even a steel band; yuh have various type a percussion fi play, yuh jus' have fi know how to mix it inna di rhythm."[5]
Campbell, Howard (2003) "Bongo Herman Master percussionist still making a contribution after 40 years[permanent dead link]", Jamaica Observer, 28 November 2003, retrieved 29 November 2009
Cooke, Mel (2009) "", Jamaica Gleaner, 4 November 2009, retrieved 29 November 2009
Edwards, Michael A. (2004) "", Jamaica Observer, 27 August 2004, retrieved 29 November 2009
Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, ISBN0-7535-0242-9
Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN0-313-33158-8
Spaulding, Leighton (2005) "", Jamaica Observer, 23 October 2005, retrieved 29 November 2009
Walters, Basil (2009) "", Jamaica Observer, 28 June 2009, retrieved 29 November 2009
"Bongo Herman - Jamaica's #1 Nyabinghi Man 8 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine", YardFlex.com, 7 October 2005, retrieved 29 November 2009
External links
at Roots Archives
March 06, 2023
bongo, herman, herman, davis, born, september, 1944, better, known, jamaican, hand, drummer, percussionist, singer, successful, career, stretching, back, early, 1960s, also, known, asherman, davisborn16, september, 1944originkingston, jamaicagenresreggaeinstru. Herman Davis born 16 September 1944 better known as Bongo Herman is a Jamaican hand drummer percussionist and singer who has had a successful career stretching back to the early 1960s Bongo HermanAlso known asHerman DavisBorn16 September 1944OriginKingston JamaicaGenresReggaeInstrument s Drums percussionYears activeearly 1960s present Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 2 1 Albums 2 2 Singles 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBiography EditHerman Davis was born on 16 September 1944 1 and grew up in the Trench Town area of Kingston 2 He began playing in the late 1950s and in the 1960s performed on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour and in Kingston s live music scene In 1966 he performed at the visit to Jamaica of Haile Selassie 2 Herman s recording career began in 1969 1 He recorded as a duo with Eric Bingy Bunny Lamont in the early 1970s for producer Derrick Harriott having hits in Jamaica including Know For I in 1971 3 He moved on to record for Harry Mudie in the mid 1970s 4 In the 1970s and 1980s he was much in demand as a studio musician recording with The Abyssinians including kete drums on Satta Masa Gana Jimmy Cliff Prince Far I the Congos Culture the Revolutionaries Roots Radics and Mikey Dread 1 5 He acted as percussionist for The Itals for several years 1 He made an acting appearance in the 1978 film Rockers of which he commented Me was the first man in Jamaica to break dance in a movie 2 5 He also features in the 2009 documentary Rock Steady the Roots of Reggae 6 During the 1990s he continued to work with many of Jamaica s top stars including Beenie Man Capleton with whom he toured Europe in 2003 4 Sizzla Lady Saw and U Roy and in the 2000s recorded with Mutabaruka and Gyptian 1 7 The digital era proved no barrier with Herman stating Once yuh is a professional musician yuh will fit inna anything even a steel band yuh have various type a percussion fi play yuh jus have fi know how to mix it inna di rhythm 5 His live performances often include the playing of a chamber pot and an enamel chimney 8 9 Discography EditAlbums Edit Bongo Herman Master Drummer 2007 Bongo Herman Meet The Roots Man Vibration Various Roots Man Sound Clash of the 21st Century Bongo Herman Meets Downbeat amp Caveman SoundsSingles Edit Dr Who 1969 Explosion Bongo Herman amp Les Chen featured on 2007 compilation Essential Ska Know For I 1971 Bongo Herman and Eric Bingy Bunny Lamont Orthodox Rock 1974 Cactus Let Them Try 1975 Impact Chairman of the Board 1984 Harry J Liquidator 1984 Harry J Great Stone Ire Hi Fi Heat of the Battle Massive B Satta Don Clinch Wisdom ClinchNotes Edit a b c d e Moskowitz p 133 a b c Edwards Larkin p 26 Larkin p 205 a b c Campbell Walters YardFlex 7 October 2005 Cooke SpauldingReferences EditCampbell Howard 2003 Bongo Herman Master percussionist still making a contribution after 40 years permanent dead link Jamaica Observer 28 November 2003 retrieved 29 November 2009 Cooke Mel 2009 Fiery end to substandard Haile Selassie coronation celebration Jamaica Gleaner 4 November 2009 retrieved 29 November 2009 Edwards Michael A 2004 BONGO HERMAN DRUMS Batter Flatter and Scatter Jamaica Observer 27 August 2004 retrieved 29 November 2009 Larkin Colin 1998 The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae Virgin Books ISBN 0 7535 0242 9 Moskowitz David V 2006 Caribbean Popular Music an Encyclopedia of Reggae Mento Ska Rock Steady and Dancehall Greenwood Press ISBN 0 313 33158 8 Spaulding Leighton 2005 JAVAA pays tribute to Cynthia Schloss in fine style Jamaica Observer 23 October 2005 retrieved 29 November 2009 Walters Basil 2009 Rock Steady movie ready for the big screen Jamaica Observer 28 June 2009 retrieved 29 November 2009 Bongo Herman Jamaica s 1 Nyabinghi Man Archived 8 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine YardFlex com 7 October 2005 retrieved 29 November 2009External links EditBongo Herman at Roots Archives Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bongo Herman amp oldid 1142407026, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
