How he met Carlos Santana, Joe Zawinul, and how he came to wear gloves when playing bass.

If you google "musicians who wear gloves" you'll see a photo of Etienne, today you'll read why.

Why Gloves

Alan Bryson: There's one thing I should ask you because a lot of people are curious, what's the story behind why you wear silk gloves when you play?

Etienne Mbappe: (Laughing) Oh, this is a very long story, and today I'm telling you, I read some things about these gloves that make me smile. Actually I was just trying to find my own way, and I don't really know why, but once I tried some gloves on. It was more of a joke, you know, like “Hey, I can play with gloves on.” Those gloves were made of wool, and with wool, after two songs they are wore through and ruined.

So that was just for a joke, but I noticed that it created a really special sound. It takes off the fret noise, and that pretty interesting when you are a studio musician. You know, sometimes you are playing a solo on bass and you can hear the “chup, chup” noise of the frets, and the gloves take that off. Also it give the bass a really warm sound, it makes it smoother, and bigger. So having those gloves gave me my own sound, and it was like “wow.” It's thick! And then I experienced when I took the right hand glove off, it sounded like I was playing with a pick.

So that's the difference. When you are used to this big sound, this hot sound, and you take the gloves off – it sound like “ding, ding ding” like playing with a pick. So I prefer playing with gloves and I also notices it keeps my strings bright. If I'm the only one playing my bass, then I only change my strings every four months or so, because are always bright and sound lively. Without gloves you get sweat on your strings and that makes them sound dull.

So my wife and I were discussing it, and she said, “Why don't you try silk gloves?” I'd never heard of a silk glove, and then I tried a silk glove on, and found my size. So I learned to play with gloves, and loved the sound, and I even loved the look – and I've been playing with gloves for more than twenty years now.

Alan Bryson: How long does a pair of silk gloves last for you?

Etienne Mbappe: It really depends of what kind of music you are playing. If you're just backing a singer, that's one thing, but with John McLaughlin then it's every two shows, because you're on fire every time. Sometimes they only last for one show, because with John you're working all the time, you know those licks “dickity, dickity, dickity.” So in general they last two shows with John, and three or four shows when backing a singer.

Funny story, now I'm endorsed by the company that produces the gloves. They heard about my story of playing with gloves. They had some endorsements with prominent alpine skiers, and their catalog they have photos of these ski champions, and now there is also a photo of me with my bass!

Alan Bryson: I should mention, not only do you play bass and guitar, but you are also a very good singer. So I want to play a song, Ewoudou that was on your first solo album.

Cameroonian All Star Bass Trio Live in Douala, Cameroon: ETIENNE MBAPPE, RICHARD BONA, GUY NSANGUE

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Joe Zawinul & Carlos Santana

Alan Bryson: Etienne I also want to ask you how you came to know and play with Joe Zawinul.

Etienne Mbappe: Of course I was a Weather Report fan, Joes's band with Jaco Pastorius and Wayne Shorter – and I'm still a fan of Jaco Pastorius. Funny enough, remember you were talking before about one of your favorite African singers, Salif Keita, and I did a tour with him in the early 90s in the States, I don't remember all the dates, but Los Angeles, San Francisco and we had Carlos Santana on guitar. He did some songs with us and Salif would let him do some great solos. You know, even in Africa we knew about Santana, those great songs like Samba Pa Ti, Europa.

So wow, having Santana playing next to me! The first show of my life was when I was in high school, and I opened the show playing Samba Pa Ti from Santana – that was in the gymnasium of the school. And now, all of the sudden Santana is with me on stage, and later I told him the story. He said, “No, you're kidding!” So that's how I got to know Santana.

So anyway, Salif Keita was on the Island Records label in London, and they wanted Joe Zawinul to produce his next album, and have Santana do some songs. By this time I was friends with Salif and playing in his band. So Joe Zawinul came to Paris to produce this album, Amen and we had two weeks of rehearsals with the band before getting into the studio. So when Salif was a little bit late, we would play some Weather Report songs with Joe.

Tono by Salif Keita from the album Amen. Produced by Joe Zawinul, Etienne Mbappe on bass

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Alan Bryson: So you were a fan and knew all his music.

Etienne Mbappe: So just teasing him I would play the opening lines of his songs (Etienne sings the bass lines) and Joe say, “You know that!?!” And I told him of course I know that. And on drums was the great Paco Sery, so the three of us were jamming. So that's how I got to know Joe, spending a month and a half with him in Paris.

So after jamming with him on all those Weather Report songs, I told him, you know Joe, I'm really fond of Weather Report, I wish I could play with you and Weather Report. Joe said, “Well, you already passed your audition.” That's what he said to me. I said, “What do you mean?” and he said, “If there's something going on I'll call you – that's what I mean.” And then like ten years later he called me!

(Imitating Joe Zawinul) “Hey Etienne, this is Joe Zawinul, do you remember me?” And I said of course. “So you wanna join my band?” I said are you kidding. “No I'm not kidding.” I said, well I'm doing some stuff right now, just give me … And he said, “I'll give you 24 hours!”

Then after hanging up I called him right back and said, “I'll manage it, I'm in your band, when should I be there?” Then two or three weeks later I was on the road with him.

Joe Zawinul - Manolo Badrena - Amit Chatterjee - Etienne Mbappé - Paco Sery - Theatre antique de Vienne - 2002

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Here's the link to the part 1 link to part 2

Come back tomorrow for part 4

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Photos are YouTube Screen Captures -- effects by @roused

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