Serge Bringolf

France's Serge Bringolf is a technically adroit prog rock and jazz fusion drummer known for his Afro-Cuban and Latin-influenced solo work and various sideman credits. Born in Strasbourg, Bringolf first became interested music around age eight, and gained early performance experience appearing with a dance and theater group. During the early '70s, he studied saxophone at the Conservatory of Strasbourg and sang in a local choir before settling on the drums. After a period touring Morocco, he returned to France, where he found work playing with pianist Faton Cahen and Vangelis. As a solo artist, he debuted in 1980 with Strave, an eponymous effort featuring his exploratory, stylistically varied band. A year later, he delivered his sophomore album, Vision, and appeared on Art Zoyd guitarist Alain Eckert's self-titled quartet album. A live Strave date followed in 1983, as did an album with pianist Siegfried Kessler for Agboville. Also during the '80s, Bringolf befriended Gypsy jazz guitarist Biréli Lagrène, with whom he began touring and performing. The association led to the drummer joining innovative bassist Jaco Pastorius' band, with whom he recorded several albums including 1986's Stuttgart Aria and 1992's Heavy 'n Jazz (recorded in 1986). During the '90s, Bringolf stayed active performing in varied projects with such artists as Marque Lowenthal, Mario Satterfield, Cécile Verny, and Siegfried Kessler. He also spent time in the United States and branched out into theater and film work. In 1999, he began splitting his focus between playing acoustic and electronic drums, a sound that informed much of his work moving forward. In 2016, Bringolf showcased this sound on the percussion-centric album Cyborg Desire. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi