Fred Sumi was born on 18 November 1974 in Geneva. He devotes himself to the bass and also to musical production. He started playing electric bass at the age of 16. In 1995, he studied at the EJMA (Ecole de Jazz et de Musique Actuelles, Lausanne) in professional class. The same year, he took private bass lessons in Havana, Cuba. Since this stay, he has been passionate about Cuban music, especially about timba. He recently initiated the project EDKUB whose first single KEY JAM is out now. The first album will be released in autumn 2020. The project builds a bridge between Cuban and electronic music and is a collaboration with top Cuban musicians, members of famous bands PUPY Y LOS QUE SON SON, ELITO REVE Y SU CHARANGON and MANOLITO Y SU TRABUCO.

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His career as a bass player and his work as a producer are two aspects that characterize him, both enriching and influencing each other. In 1999, Fred Sumi forms with his brother the band SUMO and the label Chiz Records.

Fred has composed and produced the music for four SUMO albums. His productions have been praised by the press (Les Inrocks, Trax), were played on worldwide radio stations (BBC GILLES PETERSON Worldwide, Nova) and published on various compilations along with LAURENT GARNIER and MOBY. Fred Sumi has performed on numerous stages in Switzerland and abroad: Batofar in Paris, Cargo Club in London, Cielo Club in New York, La Batuta in Chile, he opened for Faithless, Jamie Lidell and Gotan Project. He recently toured two times in Cuba with the band SUMO: Habanarte Festival (2016) and Cubadisco (2017).

 

Fred Sumi has played bass in various bands including THAÏS DIARRA (afro-soul),

PROFESSOR WOUASSA (afrobeat), ANABAENA (jazz-ethno). He has recorded the bass on the albums of various artists including ELVETT (electro-pop).