Etienne Sevet

The French trumpeter is not quite the usual musician. He took on his instrument, composition and production quite late, after a life spent as a journalist, film maker, university teacher and urban projects designer.

More than a list of jobs, it’s all about living the life on the road. Especially 8 years in Colombia, long before Cumbia and other Colombian music genres got the worldwide attention they deserve -partly because of his contribution as the correspondant to French music magazine WorldSound. Having accumulated a lot of ideas, musical energies, he delivers, song after song, his genre-bending mixture of Colombian, Haitian, Ghanaian, Jamaican rythms and sounds.

Cindy Pooch

French Cameroonian Cindy Pooch was mostly singing jazz when Etienne Sevet met her in Lyon, and offered her to be part of the live version of The Bongo Hop.

Luckily, she was precisely trying to go back to her own African roots, while exploring new languages and forms. Being part of Lyon’s leading Maloya unit Ti Kaniki helped convince Etienne Sevet that she was fit for the job, already loaded with tropical experience. Since then, she has perfectly taken on her role as the lead singer, TBH being largely voice oriented. Cindy also sings with one of France’s most acclaimed newJazz big band, Bigre ! , and US disco legend Leroy Burgess. She’ll be featured in Satingarona pt2

Paul Charnay

An unknown and talented musician until he and Etienne Sevet met, his talent has since then convinced many musicians on the local scene, from Pat Kalla to Patchworks, Mr Day, Joao Selva, to play with them. His delicate concern for sound matters is equal to his almost animal approach to playing the keys. The result is exquisite.

Mario Vargas

Born in Choco, and raised in Risaralda, Colombia, Mario is one of Lyon’s main latin music figures, having played and / or initiated most of the cumbia, salsa bands you can imagine there, before meeting Etienne Sevet to settle down with The Bongo Hop. A Colombian French project born in Cali, Colombia ? He had to be on board ! His metronomic approach, good Colombian vibes, are essential to the band’s flavor.

Gregory Boudras

An experienced drummer who played everything related to black music, from vintage afro (first stages of Vaudou Game) to Gospel, experimental Hip Hop (Fowatile) etc. His style is powerful, marked by urban sounds of today.

Boris Pokora

Acclaimed sideman to some of France’s best jazz musicians (Belmondo Brothers, Eric Legnini etc), talented multi-instrumentist, composer… His long experience, the standard he sets for each of his performances, impeccable sound, are a good motivation for the band.