Cheikh Ndoye – Groove Alchemist
By Brent-Anthony Johnson

Did you ever tell a good friend, “Thank you” for introducing you to something or someone “cool”? Meeting Cheikh Ndoye and featuring him here is as a direct result of my ongoing and great friendship with bassist Damian Erskine! As it turns out, Cheikh and Damian are also good friends, and Damian suggested Cheikh when I mentioned my continuing search for great players to participate in this series.

Cheikh Ndoye

Cheikh is one of the nicest cats you’ll ever meet, and he is a brilliant bass player and composer! His first release, “A Child’s Tale”, features players across the vast World/Jazz/Instrumental music spectrum: Russell Ferrante, Dave Weckl, Eric Marienthal, Dean Brown, Mike Miller, Kevin Peter Jones, Romero Wyatt, Randy Brecker, Karen Briggs, Sunanda Kishore, Monica Ssali, Jimi Mbaye, Ashley Maher, Adrian Green, Kyle Whelan, and the PMB Band! YEAH! Throughout the well-written compositions that comprise the disc Cheikh’s bass leads, teases, spars, dances and laughs as it takes the listener on one of the truest journeys I have heard from a bassist-led recording in a very long time! Cheikh has grace and ears for days and days…! Why more people don’t know about Cheikh is beyond me, and I am excited to introduce him to our readers at Bass Frontiers! This is Cheikh Ndoye…

BAJ: Hey man! Thank you for sending me a copy of “A Child’s Tale”, and welcome to Bass Frontiers Magazine! Let’s begin by covering your childhood and early school experience in your native Senegal, and how you became a musician…

CN: First of all, thank you for inviting me to Bass Frontiers Magazine. In my neighborhood, there was a band called “SORA”, and every single day I used to sneak out of the house to go watch these very talented musicians. I used to be very much moved by the bass player, Thierno Camara. His bass playing was truly genuine. Other giant bass players from Senegal that I admired a lot were Habib Faye, Moussa Diouf, Docteur Diop, Etu Dieng, and others. At that time I was playing the piano, but my curiosity about the low end motivated me to pick up the bass. However, because I had to focus on school, it was difficult for me to pursue my goals and put in the time I wanted – in order to learn the instrument. Years later, I was already playing bass… but I wasn’t going out enough to meet musicians. What kept me really going was my love for music and the information that I was getting through some close friends (CDs, DVDs, charts etc…) – as I was self-taught back then. I would play anything that I got my hands on as well as everything I heard on the radio.

BAJ: How did you meet the wonderful players who are featured on the disc, and will it be for sale to the general populace?

CN: I was introduced to Russell Farrente, Eric Marienthal and Mike miller by drummer/producer, Kevin Jones. After that session, I decided to bring along some of my friends who are beautiful spirits and unbelievably talented! Karen Briggs is very important to me, and I also can’t say enough about Dave Weckl! Dave is a true legend an outstanding percussionist, partner and producer. Romero Wyatt has teamed up with me for the entire recording process of “A Child’s Tale”. Another wonderful spirit and amazing singer, Ashley Maher brought a unique element to the project. Dean Brown is a very soulful guitarist who I had jammed with at one of the NAMM shows. I ran into him again the following year and asked him if he would be interested in joining the project. We can just go on and on… It is a true blessing to have them all in the project and I thank them for their support! The album will be available in stores in early 2009.

BAJ: How do you approach composition and what is your favorite way to articulate your musical ideas to your session guests? Did all your years of piano training help you with your current composing process?

CN: That is quite an interesting question… Let me illustrated it by giving an example. When I wrote the tune “Siguil”, I just had this idea… and when we recorded the tune people were asking me about the meter. I never bothered to count it. So when we finally figure it out, someone said, “ I am assuming that you didn’t intentionally write this in such an odd meter?” My approach to music (and to Life in general) is similar and has a deep connection… As far as articulating a musical idea to the player before going over the charts, I would state what the concept behind the song is. What is the real meaning of the title? The key would be: how are you going to fit into this concept? I don’t remember composing anything because I wanted to write at a particular meter (5/4 or 7/4). I believe that it’s got to come naturally… I hear melodies, write them, and only then analyze them.

BAJ: You have a great right hand approach. Would you please explain your technique and your general approach to the bass guitar? While we’re at it… let’s talk you’re your gear choices for live and studio (basses, enclosures, amplification, effects, etc)

CN: I am not particularly attached to any particular technique. I happen to play most often with 2 fingers… but sometimes with 4, depending on what the tune requires. Technique should come more from the practice of playing music more so than from exercises alone. But, I can say I am very much influenced by a couple of traditional instruments… and in the way that they are played. One is the Xalam, a lute with 1-to-5-strings… the other instrument, the Riti, is a 1-stringed bowed handle-lute. You will find these instruments in West Africa. I totally like the idea of approaching the bass from a feel stand point. Technique can always be improved. But if it is not creative or interesting enough, there is nothing you can do to make it work… no matter how technically perfect it is!

As far as gear… I have been playing Kot basses. I have a 5-string and I’m hoping to get another 4-string, also built by Jake Kot. I love Kot basses and I think they are great instruments! I also use D’Addario strings, which are also great, and I have been using them for quite a while now! I also have an Ampeg SVT-3 pro head; an Ernie Ball volume pedal, and an Electro Harmonix Q-Tron. When I am in the studio I generally like to go direct.

BAJ: What inspired your decision to include a pair of Bob James tunes in “A Child’s Tale”? That’s a very cool idea, by the way! What are some of your other favorite tunes, and will we hear them on future releases?

CN: The Idea came from Kevin Jones. I have many original tunes… But, when he made me listen to couple of Bob James’s tracks I knew it would be a nice fit for the record. Not only that, but it was a way to show my appreciation for his work as a wonderful and incredible composer.

BAJ: Along the subject of favorite songs… could you list 5 of your favorite tunes and tell us how those songs have affected your life? Also, do you have a “desert island” list? (Ergo a list of discs you would need if you were ever shipwrecked)

CN: Oh wow, there are so many…! But here are some songs and records that really have an impact in my life. That is a list I would take for sure if I were ever shipwrecked (Laughter): “The Joker” from Karim Ziad’s disc, “Ifrikya” “L’eau de la” by Sixun – one of my all time favorite bands, “Broadland” from Michael Brecker’s album, “Wide Angle” (I really can’t say enough about this record! I believe that it is one of the most brilliant pieces of work that I have ever heard. He was a beautiful composer – RIP), “Soro” by Salif Keita’s disc (This recording is one of modern African music’s most definitive classics), “A Love Supreme” by Coltrane, Jaco Pastorius’ eponymous disc, “Cheikh Anta Diop” by Doudou Ndiaye Rose (There is 50 drummer ensemble on this album, and they play together with an incredible level of complexity and subtlety) Man!! There are so many great records out there I can just go on and on…

BAJ: Man, I have really enjoyed your MySpace site, and I feel as though we are friends – as a result of my time there! Describe your goals as you communicate with your audience… Also, what has your 10 years in the US taught you most about this human race?

Cheikh Ndoye

CN: One thing that I can say about the MySpace page is that I have learned so much, and met far more great people that I could ever had imagine. It is such a small world! My goal is to meet many of the “myspacers” throughout my travels! I have found so many great talents on MySpace and I always feel like there is so much to learn and explore. I am always going to be a student… You know, one of the greatest opportunities from being in the US is the fact that I have met many people from all around the globe! That, alone, is a golden chance to broaden my life experience.

BAJ: You are a very humble and thoughtful person, and I appreciate that very much! What are your thoughts as you are seeing so many of your dreams into fruition?

CN: I am very thankful to everyone who has supported me throughout these years! I believe it is important to hold on to your roots and try to be understood by the world! I am hoping that my music can reach people and affect their lives in a positive way.

BAJ: In your opinion, what are the most important aspects of dealing with the “music business”?

CN: You know I remember when we were in the studio during the first session of “A Child’s Tale”. When we finished, Russel Ferrante was saying “We’ve got the easiest part done!”, and I couldn’t quite figure that out…. See, I am very new to the music business, and I have been very fortunate to work with a great producers and friends, Romero Wyatt and Kevin Jones. Romero has been very helpful in assisting me in many ways! What I have learned and believe is that one of the main aspects is staying true to yourself, which includes everything we do in life. Point being… no one can guide you better than you can guide yourself. All I am trying to say is, “if or when we doubt ourselves, others will doubt us, as well.”

BAJ: What would you like to discuss in this interview that you’re yet to cover in the other interviews you’ve had heretofore? More so, what is the most difficult aspect of your celebrity at this writing?

CN: As you know, being a professional musician is a huge commitment. Once you make the decision, you need to do your best in every interaction that impacts your music studies, performance, networking with the music industry. I found that being humble is an essential key to just about anything! Humility is not only being the best you can be to others… but it will also open doors whether you‘re in the music industry or not. The quickest turn off, especially in the field we are working in, is not being modest. The other factor is I always consider myself a student. That’s what really helps anybody grow, and this applies to any field, and these are simply facts within the world we are living.

BAJ: Are there tour dates to promote the disc yet? Also, who will be in the touring band?

CN: Yes my team is actually working on it right now! As soon as I get the tour dates I will post them to my MySpace page. We are looking forward to doing a lot of playing in and outside of the US. I would like it if my schedule allows me to have everyone in the record to be part of the touring. By the way the band is called Siguil.

BAJ: You bring a lot of wonderful musicality to the instrument! Are you considering an instructional DVD series or anything of that nature? Also, do you have time to provide private instruction and/or clinic?

CN: Maybe in the future I will consider an instructional DVD. However, I do have a behind the scene footage of the recording process for “A Child’s Tale”, and everyone will have the opportunity to watch it online very soon. I do have a few taking lessons at this time, and I also look forward to doing a few clinics in the near future.

BAJ: Do you all ready have compositions in waiting for the next release? Or, do you compose a single release at a time?

CN: My next release will be exciting, and I am already scheming! I am already working on a few Ideas, and there will be some pleasant surprises.

BAJ: What would you like to see into fruition in the next decade?

CN: I just love to write and play music. My dream is to reach people’s heart with my music, and I am hoping that my contribution to this world will be helpful to others. There are great talents out there, and there is already a well-established connection between the artists through MySpace and other websites, I would like to see more and more collaborations taking place.

BAJ: Thank you for joining us at Bass Frontiers, Cheikh! Do you have any closing comments for our readers?

CN: Thanks to you Bass Frontiers, and everyone out there for your support. Check out my new record “A Child’s Tale” that was released in early 2009… and I hope to see you at one of the shows!