Bonobo

Bonobo is the stage name of Simon Green, a British electronic musician, producer and DJ from Brighton, born in 1976 and based in Los Angeles. His work spans acid jazz, downtempo, electronic, electronica, nu jazz and trip hop. He releases music through Bonobo Music Ltd. and is closely associated with Ninja Tune, after first issuing his debut album on Tru Thoughts.

Early albums and label history

Bonobo’s debut album, Animal Magic, appears in 2000 and marks his first full-length release. It moves from Tru Thoughts to Ninja Tune, where he develops the style that defines his later work. Dial ‘M’ for Monkey and Days to Come follow for Ninja Tune and build his profile internationally, while also shaping the live version of his music.

DJ work and live performance

Alongside recording, Green works extensively as a DJ. His DJ set-up becomes a major part of his output around Black Sands in 2010. That period includes a Boiler Room performance in London that leads to club-oriented re-edits of the album, as well as a new light show that becomes part of the live presentation.

His live shows grow into extended reinterpretations of the studio recordings. He performs more than 175 shows across three continents and 30 countries, and plays sold-out concerts at the Sydney Opera House and Brixton Academy. He also stages his own day-long festival at London’s Roundhouse. In 2014 he appears at Coachella, Sonar and Glastonbury, among other festivals, and later performs his largest show to date at London’s Alexandra Palace. Ninja Tune releases The North Borders Tour. — Live. as a deluxe package with a live album, hardback book and DVD documenting that tour.

Later releases and collaborators

Green’s fifth album, The North Borders, continues the electronic palette of Black Sands and includes vocals from Erykah Badu, Grey Reverend of The Cinematic Orchestra, Cornelia of Portico Quartet and Szjerdene. He is known for introducing and supporting new talent, including Andreya Triana and Bajka. A remix album connected to this period features reworkings by Machinedrum, Floating Points, Mark Pritchard, Lapalux and FaltyDL.

His sixth album, Migration, appears in 2017 on Ninja Tune. It is introduced by the single “Kerala” and includes contributions from Nick Murphy, Rhye, Innov Gnawa and Nicole Miglis of Hundred Waters.