At 14 years old, Edd Bateman was playing heavy metal basslines in his bedroom when his mother interrupted with an unexpected opportunity. A Zimbabwean Sungura and Chimurenga dance band, Chimanimani, had just arrived in England and needed a bass player immediately. With barely a week to prepare, Edd took the gig. Within a month, he found himself playing African nightclubs in London, university venues, and even Glastonbury Festival. He stayed with Chimanimani for six years, learning the intricacies of Zimbabwean bass firsthand.

In his early 20s, Edd’s focus shifted to West Africa, where he began intensive training with the Cissokho family of griots in Senegal. Performing marathon five-hour shows alongside Solo Cissokho, Seckou Keita, Sadio Cissokho, and the Jalikunda family, he absorbed the deep rhythmic traditions of Mbalax and Mandinka music. Guest appearances with Cheikh Lô, Orchestra Baobab, and Super Diamono solidified his reputation as a versatile and instinctive player.

With thousands of concerts to his name, Edd has led bands blending African and global styles, including London Astrobeat Orchestra and Edd Bateman’s West African Love Affair. In 2020, recognizing the lack of structured learning for African bass guitar, he founded World Music Method, an online platform dedicated to sharing the techniques and traditions of African and world music.

In 2024, Edd was called in at the last minute to tour with Sahara Desert Blues virtuoso Bombino, stepping onto the stage without rehearsal. In 2025, he expanded his musical journey to India and Pakistan, performing alongside Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan and leading members of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana. His deep foundation in African music allowed him to adapt instantly, navigating unfamiliar repertoire on the spot, a skill that defines a truly masterful bass player.