Bonobo (musician)

Bonobo (musician)
Krists Luhaers · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Bonobo
Birth name	Simon Green
Birth date	1976
Birth place	Bristol
Origin	United Kingdom
Genres	Downtempo, Electronic, Trip hop
Occupation	Musician, DJ, Record producer
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Ninja Tune, Tru Thoughts

Bonobo (musician) is the professional name of Simon Green, an English musician and record producer whose work spans electronic, downtempo, and trip hop. Known for intricate production, orchestral arrangements, and immersive live shows, he has released several acclaimed albums on Ninja Tune and performed at major festivals such as Glastonbury Festival, Coachella, and Montreux Jazz Festival. His collaborations and remixes have connected him with artists and institutions across United Kingdom, United States, and Europe.

Early life and education

Green was born in Bristol and grew up during the 1980s and 1990s when the city was notable for acts like Portishead, Massive Attack, and Tricky. He studied at institutions in Brighton and later moved to Manchester for periods associated with local scenes and venues such as The Haçienda and Soundgarden (record shop). Early exposure to labels and collectives including Ninja Tune, Warp, and Mo' Wax influenced his trajectory, while contemporaries like Roni Size and Death in Vegas shaped the Bristol and Bristol-adjacent electronic milieu he emerged from.

Career

Green began releasing music under his stage name in the late 1990s, debuting on independent labels such as Tru Thoughts before establishing a long-term relationship with Ninja Tune. His early releases received attention in publications like NME, The Guardian, and Pitchfork, and were played on radio outlets including BBC Radio 1 and KEXP. Albums such as those released in the 2000s and 2010s led to tours across North America, Europe, and Asia, with appearances at venues like Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, and clubs in Berlin and Tokyo. Throughout his career he has navigated industry changes brought by platforms like Spotify, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp while engaging with production tools from Ableton Live to analogue hardware from Roland and Korg.

Musical style and influences

His sound incorporates elements from jazz, world music, classical music, funk, and hip hop, often blending samples, live instrumentation, and electronic processing. Influences cited include Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, DJ Shadow, Aphex Twin, and bands like Stereolab and Talk Talk. Production techniques recall approaches from producers such as J Dilla, Madlib, and Brian Eno, while arrangements have drawn comparisons to composers including Ennio Morricone and Philip Glass. Field recordings and ethnomusicological sources from regions like West Africa and South America have informed his percussive palette alongside contributions from session musicians versed in classical guitar and saxophone.

Discography

Studio albums include releases that charted in territories covered by organizations like Official Charts Company and Billboard. Notable albums span collaborations with labels such as Ninja Tune and include work appreciated by critics at AllMusic, The Independent, and Rolling Stone. His catalogue also features EPs, singles, and remix compilations distributed via outlets like XL Recordings and featured on compilations curated by DJs associated with Fabric and Ministry of Sound. Specific album titles have been promoted through campaigns involving Columbia Records partners for licensing in film and television placements on networks such as BBC and streaming services like Netflix.

Collaborations and productions

Bonobo has worked with vocalists and musicians from diverse backgrounds, collaborating with artists associated with labels like Ninja Tune and XL Recordings. Collaborators have included performers who also worked with Thom Yorke, Erykah Badu, and Mos Def, and session players with credits alongside Sting and Herbie Hancock. He has produced remixes for acts connected to Radiohead, Coldplay, Beck, and Depeche Mode, and his music has been licensed for projects involving directors and producers who have worked with BBC Films and Focus Features.

Live performances and tours

His live ensemble expanded from solo DJ sets to full bands featuring strings, brass, and rhythm sections, performing at festivals like Glastonbury Festival, Coachella, Pitchfork Music Festival, Primavera Sound, Lollapalooza, and venues such as Royal Albert Hall and Barbican Centre. Tours have seen him share bills with contemporaries from Ninja Tune and Warp, and perform at clubs in Berlin, Paris, New York City, and Tokyo. Live arrangements often adapt studio compositions for extended performances framed by production teams familiar with touring logistics used by acts on Live Nation and AEG Presents circuits.

Awards and recognition

His work has been recognized by awards bodies and media outlets including BRIT Awards, Ivor Novello Awards, Mercury Prize, and polls by NME and Rolling Stone. Chart placements have been tracked by Official Charts Company and Billboard, and his albums have appeared on year-end lists compiled by Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Mojo. Industry recognition includes nominations and wins from organizations linked to PRS for Music and acknowledgements from peers across electronic music and jazz communities.

Category:English musicians Category:Electronic music producers