Richard Bona (born Bona Pinder Yayumayalolo), has collaborated with several musicians, amongst others, Manu Dibango, Didier Lockwood, Larry Coryell, Michael and Randy Brecker, Steve Gadd, Mike Stern and John Legend. His career as a leader started in 1999 with the album "Scenes from my life". Bona, between 2002 and 2005, was a member of the Pat Metheny Group. He currently holds a professorship of music at New York University.