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August 23, 2006: Officially revealed as a Survivor:
Cook Islands contestant on CBS's The Early Show.
From his official CBS bio:
"Born and raised in New York, Sekou
Bunch began pursuing his creative talents at an early age.
One of his first paintings was put on display at the Museum
of Art in New York when he was just seven years old. At this
time, Bunch also began dancing in local talent shows, often
taking first prize. He later became one of the original break
dancers in the Bronx, where he often attended the famed 'DJ
Kool Herc' parties. At age 15, Bunch picked up a bass
guitar and, with the help of his Uncle Ralph, found his true
passion. Three years later, Bunch recorded his first professional
record, Funkin' for Jamaica, an LP that eventually went gold.
While honing his skills, he completed two years of college
at St. Francis College and Glendale Community College.
 Currently
a professional jazz musician, Bunch continues to tour,
record and act. He plays electric bass, double bass, clarinet,
guitar and piano. He has recorded and performed with Will
Downing, Lalah Hathaway, George Benson, Quincy Jones, Coolio,
Michael Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Luther Vandross, Roger
Daltry, Paul Anka, Anita Baker, Wayne Shorter, Ray Charles
and Ice Cube, among others. He co-wrote the Tom Browne
single, "Thighs High." He appeared in the feature
films Coming to America, Wild
Orchid [Note: according to IMDb,
this is actually Wild
Orchid II, and he played "Bass player"] and Byrd.
He has also played on numerous commercials and soundtracks,
having most recently recorded the bass for the feature film
The Fast and the Furious 3. He can also be seen
in the upcoming feature film Dreamgirls. In addition,
Bunch will release a new CD of his own entitled The Next
Level in December 2006.
Bunch enjoys gardening, painting,
drawing, reading and writing. He also enjoys basketball,
racquetball and lifting weights. He is most proud of obtaining
his first Gold Record Award when he was just 19 years old.
Bunch
currently resides in Los Angeles. He has three children,
Brandis, Brooke, Shalonda, a step daughter Kai, a fiancée,
Toi, and is a proud grandfather to Carlos and Shelby. His
birth date is September 9, 1960. "
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August, 2005: Lengthy bio from Sekou's official
web site (which predated Survivor: Cook Islands by
about a year, although his career already spanned a few decades
more at that point):
The
name "Sekou" resonates
throughout the industry as we reacquaint ourselves
with his musicianship as a bass player. His outstanding
performances and recordings with artists that range
from Coolio to Liza Minelli display Sekou's versatility
with various genres of music, making him one of the
premier bassists.
Born and raised in New York City, Sekou began in the arts at
the tender age of 8 years old as a still-life and portrait artist. Sekou recalls
sounds of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Mongo Santamaria, Wes Montgomery, James
Brown and many others as his inspiration. As music continued to draw him in,
Sekou began dancing and mimicking James Brown. Sekou and two of his brothers
started a dance review and began entering local talent contests, often coming
away with first place awards. It is under-publicized that Sekou is one of the
pioneers of what is known today as Break Dancing.
By the age of 14, with a promising career as a dancer and commercial artist,
Sekou realized his destiny as a musician and started playing the electric bass.
Under the direction of his uncle, Ralph Bunch, Sekou began playing local gigs
and jam sessions. At age 17, Sekou teamed up with GRP artist, Tom Browne and
recorded with Brown on the all-time favorite "Funkin for Jamaica" LP,
which awarded him his first Gold Record.
Sekou later co-wrote the hit "Thighs High" with Browne,
which sold in excess of 6 million copies worldwide. Sekou became a highly sought
after bassist in the very competitive New York City music scene and a regular
session player for legendary producer Dave Grusin and the GRP label. To further
his career as a solo artist, Sekou became an R & B Funkster for the Sugar
Hill record label, recording hits such as, "Can't Stop Loving You" and "Pretty
Baby". This spring-boarded his career as a solo artist and rendered him
international acclaim. Sekou went on to perform in the hit Broadway Musical Dream
Girls, keeping the show alive with his funky bass playing.
Sekou decided to expand his territory and moved to Los Angeles,
where he met the late George Howard, who he toured and recorded a host of records
with, including co-writing the song "Family" on Howard's CD entitled "When
Summer Comes". Sekou then collaborated with producers Angela Wimbush and
Ronald Isley to record on Stephanie Mills' hit "Something In The Way You
Make Me Feel." Sekou was later hired as musical director for the Isley Brothers
and co-produced the Isley's hit "Koolin Out" on the Tracks of Life
CD. You can also hear Sekou's thumping bass on the Isley Brothers live CD. Sekou's
experience includes touring and recording with artists such as George Duke, Anita
Baker, En Vogue, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, George Benson,
Wayne Shorter, Take 6 on the 'Take 6 Joins the Band' CD, Latin sensation Marc
Anthony and Roger Daltry, of The Who, with the British Rock Symphony Orchestra..
You can also hear Sekou's master bass groove on Qunicy Jones' "Q's Juke Joint"
on the tracks "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Stuff Like That". Sekou is a member
of Quincy Jones' "A Team" along with session greats John Robinson,
Gregg Phillinganes and Paul Jackson, Jr. You will also hear him on the new Imprompt2
CD and BeBe Winans' recent live DVD recording.
Sekou is known for his excellent sight reading and innovative
bass-playing skills. He has come full circle in establishing his sound and mastery
of the electric bass. Reigniting his solo career, Sekou introduces to the world
his artistry, virtuosity and tenacity, ranking him among the greatest in his
field! |
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