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| Babá Ken Okulolo | ||
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Nigerian Bandleader and Educator
584 61st Street
Oakland CA 94609
www.AfricanMusicSource.com
Phone/Fax 510-655-3357
Cell: 510-684-8188
kaokulolo@aol.com
Babá Ken Okulolo is one of the few African musicians of today whose roots extend deep into traditional village life and music. As a teacher, he shares the positive cultural values and universal healing magic of African music with people of all ages and walks of life. As a bandleader, his warm personality enlivens three distinct performing and recording groups: the Afro-beat band KOTOJA, the all-star WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND, and the acoustic, traditional NIGERIAN BROTHERS.
Babá Ken was born into the Urhobo ethnic group in the village of Aladja, Delta State, Nigeria, where he was exposed to the stories, rhythms, and songs of his people, and learned the traditional arts of drumming, singing, and dance. As a youth, he began playing guitar and bass in ‘palm-wine’ and highlife bands, and before long, the young musician with the ‘roots’ feel had begun a national career.
Babá has produced and performed on countless Nigerian recordings, and five times, the Nigerian Journalists' Association voted him the country's top bassist. He is well known for his early work with highlife master Dr. Victor Olaiya, Steve Rhodes' African Voices, and the Nigerian Afro-rock group, Monomono. He first visited the U.S. with King Sunny Ade's African Beats, and continues to appear on Ade’s latest recordings.
Since moving to the Bay Area in 1986, Okulolo’s many live performances, recordings, and international touring groups have won wide critical acclaim. His cultural lectures, demonstrations, and classes in African percussion, musical technique, singing, and dance have been enjoyed in a wide variety of settings.
Says Okulolo, "I see the world today as one family, as one village. We all have the same needs and wants. Peace, love, and understanding will help solve the world's problems, and that's what I try to share with all people through music.”
African Culture and Music Educational Programs
Drumming, song, and dance celebrate important occasions in African communities. People work together to create music. Emulating the village lifestyle through drumming and singing enables students to build and enjoy perfect teamwork. Breaking the music into its simplest forms, with practical examples and body language, helps each student achieve his or her full potential. Individuals and groups are prepared for real-life performance situations with ease and grace. There is no age limit to learning what our heart desires. Beginners and advanced students of all ages enjoy the healing and pleasing power of putting their hands on drums and percussion instruments of any size, singing and playing together with others.
Babá has led programs and classes at many institutions, including: Babá also teaches acoustic and electric guitar, bass, wind and percussion techniques and arrangement in many African musical styles, both modern and traditional, including Afro-beat, highlife, juju, Afro-funk, soukous, jazz and palm-wine. As a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer and bandleader of over 30 years experience, Babá Ken can organize a group of any size for live performance or recording. He can assist with performance bookings, event productions, publicity, or consultation on any type of musical project. Education: Special Events and Performance Groups Available: Babá Ken will work with you to fulfill your specific needs and budgets for festivals, concerts, dances, parties, receptions, educational and recreational programs. These may include: BABÁ KEN OKULOLO & the NIGERIAN BROTHERS (Composed, Arranged, Produced) WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND (Composed, Arranged, Produced) KOTOJA (Composed, Arranged, Produced) KOTOJA (Composed, Arranged, Produced) KOTOJA (Composed, Arranged, Produced) KING SUNNY ADE KING SUNNY ADE BATA KETU CHALO EDUARDO KELLY TAKUNDA ORPHAN ORLANDO JULIUS EKEMODE KEN OKULOLO (Solo recording) MONOMONO MONOMONO TEE MAC COLLECTIONS EMMA DORGU (Arranged/Produced) MONOMONO
University of California at Berkeley Young Musicians Program
Stern Grove Festival Association School Outreach Program
Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center Childrens Program, Berkeley,
Dance for Power Program Assemblies, Oakland and Sacramento
Cragmont School, Berkeley
Grand Lake Montessori School, Oakland
Piedmont Elementary School, Oakland
Albany High School
American Chinese School, San Francisco
Alameda Girl Scouts Camp
Bishop, California Public School District
Sedona, Arizona Public School District
St. Andrews Secondary School Diploma, Warri, Nigeria
General Education Diploma, Berkeley, California
Electronic Technology Certificate, Inter-City Institute, Berkeley, California
A.S. Degree, Computer Technology, Merritt College, Oakland, California
Beautifully costumed African drummers and dancers (great for parties and receptions)
KOTOJA: 8- to 12-piece Afro-beat band of top African and American musicians with horn section, fully costumed, colorful, animated and exciting performances (great for larger parties and receptions, outdoor and indoor festivals, performance art theatres, concert halls, and mid- to large-size clubs)
WEST AFRICAN HIGHLIFE BAND: 6-piece all-star group of African music veterans, colorfully costumed, playing classic highlife dance tunes of the 50’s – 80’s, infectious music that appeals to old and young alike (great for weddings, festivals, concerts, clubs of all sizes)
NIGERIAN BROTHERS: 3- TO 5-piece African group with acoustic guitars, voices, and hand percussions, playing traditional, palm-wine, and folk music (great for folk music venues, festivals, clubs, parties, museums, and galleries)
More information, pictures, and music at www.AfricanMusicSource.com.
Call Babá Ken at (510) 655-3357 or e-mail @ kaokulolo@aol.com. Please provide dates desired and as much information as possible about your event. Many references and reviews are available upon request.
“SONGS FROM THE VILLAGE” © 2001 INNER SPIRIT RECORDINGS
“SALUTE TO HIGHLIFE PIONEERS” © 1998 INNER SPIRIT RECORDINGS
“SUPER SAWALE” © 1994 PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC
“SAWALE” © 1992 MESA/BLUE MOON RECORDINGS INC.
“FREEDOM IS WHAT EVERY BODY NEEDS”
© 1990 INNER SPIRIT RECORDS © 1991 MESA/BLUE MOON RECORDINGS (Re-issued)
“ODU” © 1998 ATLANTIC/MESA RECORDINGS
“E DIDE/GET UP” © 1995 MESA/BLUE MOON RECORDINGS
“BATA KETU” © 1996 BEMBÉ RECORDS
“SAMBA NOVA” © 1998 CARNAVAL RECORDS
“GIVE IT TO THE PEOPLE” © 2003 ALL OF ONE RECORDS
“DANCE AFRO-BEAT” © 1983 AFROBEAT RECORDINGS INC.
“TALKIN’ BASS EXPERIENCE” © 1976 E.M.I NIGERIA LTD
“THE DAWN OF AWARENESS” © 1973 E.M.I NIGERIA LTD
“GIVE A BEGGAR A CHANCE” © 1972 E.M.I NIGERIA LTD
“WAKE UP” © 1979 E.M.I NIGERIA LTD
“WE NEED FREEDOM” © 1978 E.M.I NIGERIA LTD
“ADELE” ©1971 E.M.I NIGERIA LTD
General Info: News & Concerts | Sound Clips | Buy CDs | Mailing List | Booking Information | Ken Okulolo
Band Info: Nigerian Brothers | Kotoja | West African Highlife Band
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