Bash's Bio

Rhythms are like oceans. They have many sources. My rhythms come from the streets, from divine intervention, traditions, other musicians, the sky, everything, anything.

When I began playing, the world was my instrument. According to my mother, I started in pre-school, disrupting class by playing on desktops, chairs, toys and anything else I could find a groove on.

My home is Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn where I learned from the neighborhood "street school." But early on, I knew there was a whole world of music going on inside Bed-Sty and out. I grew up in the 60's with Hendrix, Cream, James Brown, Trane, The Panthers, Angela, The Last Poets, Sly, Malcolm, and a guiding light from my parents that made me-Me.

Serious percussion began in high school with bands, formal study, grants and my three year tutorship in percussion and the music business with Mtume. Through Mtume, I performed in my first professional session on Stephanie Mills' "Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin'." I still have the gold record on my wall.

Growing up, I wanted to be Airto, Ralph McDonald, Big Black, Tito Puente, Bootsy, Olatunji and Tony Williams. When I wasn't in school, I would be in my room, playing along to the radio. After I learned the parts of my radio mentors, I created my own parts and patterns.

As long as I'm playing, I am learning. I've grown up, yet I haven't changed. I will always be a student. I will always be inspired by incredible percussionists, by my roots in Africa, by the world around me.

Bashiri Johnson