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This is the story of a gifted teenage footballer, whose calling is mapped out…Unfortunately, he breaks his arm…The bass will help him reeducate normal functioning to his blocked wrist.
This will be the call to another vocation…
BIOGRAPHY
Music, a lifetime commitment
Music has been an integral part of Mike Clinton’s life since he was very young. Born on June 19th, 1975, he grows up in St Denis, where he starts music in a music academy at the age of 6, even if football seems to be his priority. Music is a family affair at the Clintons’ ; they perform at the local church and also in the underground circles of St Denis ; it is the time of NTM and Joey Starr he will cross later. During his teen years, Mike moves to Guadeloupe where music will still be part of his life. Moving to Guadeloupe will also mean giving up the idea of becoming a professional football player as he hurt his arm seriously. Then, he will take root into his grandmother’s corrugated music cabin, where he will play music with local friends. The bass will take up more and more room in Mike’s life and he will train up to eight hours a day…
Mike will be influenced by Miles Davis, by music bands like Weather Report, Sixun and also by a family friend, who will become his mentor… Michel Alibo. As an ecclectic musician, Haitian Kompa (so dear to his parents) and Universal Soul will impact on him. Mike turns out to be a fast learner and will even be two years in advance in his studies.
As a result, he will become a bass player with an inquiring mind, a musician who will feel comfortable in all circumstances and, who will surround himself with multifarious artists. When asked, Mike thinks that the crucial point of his career occured at the age of twenty, when he performed with Edith Lefel at « L’Olympia », then with Patrick St Eloi or Jean-Philippe Marthely ( Kassav) who are great figures of the Caribean scene. Back to Paris, the pace of events will quicken and Mike will collaborate with Hip-Hop and Rap artists, with the Bebey Brothers, Cameronian artists. Mike will then go on a four-year tour with the legendary Salif Keita, who will hear the African origins in Mike’s game.
THE JAMEL COMEDY CLUB, MIKE WILL BACK THE ARTISTS WHO PASS THROUGH THE SHOW TOO.
He will also back Alan Stivell, a Breton and Celtic singer and musician. He will participate in the recording of « L’Homme du Monde » by Arthur H, then will accompany the so British French band Revolver ( and will take up the challenge to play the bass lines of the fabulous Pino Palladino). He will also accompany Gaetan Roussel and Gad Elmaleh
BASSES
Here are Mike’s favorite basses, used in the studio and on stage according to the demand and the musical genre.
BASS-DRUMS
The drummers Mike feel an affinity with
“The rythmic is running smoothly” is an expression you may have heard regarding bands. It refers to the pair bass-drums (one should never say “drums-bass”) At best, they play in harmony for every musician’s satisfaction. This pair is the backbone of music. “I often get along so well with the drummers I play with, that we become real friends” Needless to say that playing the rythmic together is finding a shared beat.
If it works out well that way, emotion and joy may arise from that.
HERVÉ LAVAL
“I used to see him perform when I went to Martinique. I never would have imagined sharing the stage with him.” As a man of challenge, Mike will learn a lot from Hervé when hired by Edith Lefel’s team. They will collaborate till the late 90’s, especially with “Bizness”, Jean-Phiippele Marthely’s and Patrick St Eloi’s band.
JEAN-PHILIPPE FANFANT
“He was the reference in terms of drum skills” At a time Mike becomes more and more in demand as a studio musician, he finds himself at Jean-Philippe’s side during studio sessions. J-P is a wholehearted and generous musician. He was so helpful to young West-Indians drummers, that he was nicknamed “baby-sitter” When they played live, Clinton-Fanfant were one of the numerous pairs of the BB Antilles ( a Parisian club on a barge) with Thierry Vaton at the piano.
LAWRENCE CLAÏS
“I gave him my phone number after hearing him play in Rivière-Salée, in Martinique” When Lawrence arrived in Paris, Mike kept his word. They took part in jam sessions and other events such as the Rimshot Party. Mike appreciates the fact that Lawrence can hold the beat. He has no interest in ornementation.
HUBERT MOTTEAU
Hubert Motteau is already an experienced drummer when he shares the stage with Mike during one of Alan Stivel’s tours. In spite of Hubert Motteau’s background, Mike felt very comfortable. They have worked together in a recording studio over a House music project recently.
LATABI DIOUANI
Mike meets Latabi Diouani through Hubert Motteau. Latabi is said to “deliver the goods” when he is on stage. They often share the stage in clubs, especially wiith the blues man of the desert… Amar Sandy
FRANCK MANTEGARI
“I first heard him on the albums of affirmed artists and also in live ( Rita Mitsouko, Tanya Saint-Val, Jean-Michel Rotin…)” Franck plays the drums in a very personal way, he is very innovative and very rigorous as far as rythmic is concerned. Then, we took part in many live and studio projects. We also played different sorts of music. Playing with him is always a pleasure.
MAXIME GAROUTE
A four-year collaboration leads them to the recording of the soundtrack of the movie “Comme des Frères” In the beginning, they just shared an audition and they found their encounter had a taste of too little. As soon as Maxime knows that the band REVOLVER is looking for, a bass player for their live performances, a musician who will be able to play in the spirit of Pino Palladino, he thinks of Mike… The latter will be the last bass player to be auditionned and the one who will be hired by the quartet.
“I often get along
so well with the drummers
I play with, that we become
real friends”
ROGER BIWANDU
“The one who bucks me up” Once again, Mike never would have thought that one day he would collaborate with Roger Biwandu, that they would get along straight away. Mike will then collaborate with Sia Tolno. Thanks to Roger Mike will meet influential musicians and will work his basic knowledge and his harmonies. In brief, Mike never rests on his laurels.
GRÉGORY LOUIS
When he finds himself in Paris at a very young age, he already has a very high technique level. Mike who has noticed his talent, contacts him for a replacement in Paris Africans. Their collaboration starts from there. What struck Mike was Gregory’s knowledge of the sound of drums, but also his thorough expertise of how a studio works.
JULIEN TEKEYAN
A remarkably helpful drummer Mike shares studio and live sessions with, for Le Jamel Comedy Club , for the singers Féfé, Soha… “Juju is enthusiasm personified” and a wildly enthusiastic drummer.
DAVID FALL
“We have played very little together, especially for replacements”. But admiration prevails. His know-how, his technique make him a great drummer Mike played with on Canal+ for Les Robins des Bois
HERVÉ LAVAL
“I used to see him perform when I went to Martinique. I never would have imagined sharing the stage with him.” As a man of challenge, Mike will learn a lot from Hervé when hired by Edith Lefel’s team. They will collaborate till the late 90’s, especially with “Bizness”, Jean-Phiippele Marthely’s and Patrick St Eloi’s band.
JEAN-PHILIPPE FANFANT
“He was the reference in terms of drum skills” At a time Mike becomes more and more in demand as a studio musician, he finds himself at Jean-Philippe’s side during studio sessions. J-P is a wholehearted and generous musician. He was so helpful to young West-Indians drummers, that he was nicknamed “baby-sitter” When they played live, Clinton-Fanfant were one of the numerous pairs of the BB Antilles ( a Parisian club on a barge) with Thierry Vaton at the piano.
LAWRENCE CLAÏS
“I gave him my phone number after hearing him play in Rivière-Salée, in Martinique” When Lawrence arrived in Paris, Mike kept his word. They took part in jam sessions and other events such as the Rimshot Party. Mike appreciates the fact that Lawrence can hold the beat. He has no interest in ornementation.
HUBERT MOTTEAU
Hubert Motteau is already an experienced drummer when he shares the stage with Mike during one of Alan Stivel’s tours. In spite of Hubert Motteau’s background, Mike felt very comfortable. They have worked together in a recording studio over a House music project recently.
LATABI DIOUANI
Mike meets Latabi Diouani through Hubert Motteau. Latabi is said to “deliver the goods” when he is on stage. They often share the stage in clubs, especially wiith the blues man of the desert… Amar Sandy
FRANCK MANTEGARI
“I first heard him on the albums of affirmed artists and also in live ( Rita Mitsouko, Tanya Saint-Val, Jean-Michel Rotin…)” Franck plays the drums in a very personal way, he is very innovative and very rigorous as far as rythmic is concerned. Then, we took part in many live and studio projects. We also played different sorts of music. Playing with him is always a pleasure.
MAXIME GAROUTE
A four-year collaboration leads them to the recording of the soundtrack of the movie “Comme des Frères” In the beginning, they just shared an audition and they found their encounter had a taste of too little. As soon as Maxime knows that the band REVOLVER is looking for, a bass player for their live performances, a musician who will be able to play in the spirit of Pino Palladino, he thinks of Mike… The latter will be the last bass player to be auditionned and the one who will be hired by the quartet.
“I often get along
so well with the drummers
I play with, that we become
real friends”
ROGER BIWANDU
“The one who bucks me up” Once again, Mike never would have thought that one day he would collaborate with Roger Biwandu, that they would get along straight away. Mike will then collaborate with Sia Tolno. Thanks to Roger Mike will meet influential musicians and will work his basic knowledge and his harmonies. In brief, Mike never rests on his laurels.
GRÉGORY LOUIS
When he finds himself in Paris at a very young age, he already has a very high technique level. Mike who has noticed his talent, contacts him for a replacement in Paris Africans. Their collaboration starts from there. What struck Mike was Gregory’s knowledge of the sound of drums, but also his thorough expertise of how a studio works.
JULIEN TEKEYAN
A remarkably helpful drummer Mike shares studio and live sessions with, for Le Jamel Comedy Club , for the singers Féfé, Soha… “Juju is enthusiasm personified” and a wildly enthusiastic drummer.
DAVID FALL
“We have played very little together, especially for replacements”. But admiration prevails. His know-how, his technique make him a great drummer Mike played with on Canal+ for Les Robins des Bois
I would also like to wink at the younger drummers I enjoyed sharing the stage with, and I am sure will have a successful career. Moreover, some of them are already well-known:
– Mathieu Edward (Chassol, Delasoul, The Keeys)
– Arnaud Dolmen (drummer/ percussionnist)
– Sony Troupé (drummer/ percussionnist)
– Thomas Bellon (Kassav‘)
They are all friends of mine and have several things in common like the simplicity, rigour and human kindness they bring in a project. They all are excellent musicians I have really loved working with at different periods of my music career.
Mike.
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