After a few detours, KUKU, the singer, songwriter from Nigeria, has found his true calling. Itís a long way from Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria, to Washington DC – with stops along the way as fast food worker, warehouse laborer, bouncer a night club and soldier in the U.S. Army – but this soulful singer never stopped dreaming. His debut CD (EP) Love Sessions received rave underground reviews and his full-length project 'Unexpected Pleasures' is set for release before the end of the year. He has performed at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, New York's SOB's, Los Angeles' Temple bar, Philadelphia's Five Spot, and DC's legendary Bohemian Caverns.
KUKU intends to educate the world about the infectious culture of his homeland. At live performances, songs such as 'Ife' ('Love') have captivated audiences. In Asia, it is fast becoming a favorite wedding dance request song. ìUnexpected Pleasuresî is an album that requires no fast-forwarding, - every track hold its own. The man can sing. He can write a song that will make the devil repent in 10 different religious denominations, and he can deliver a song in optimum quality both live and in the studio.
Spreading his brand of soul, the six-foot-four Guitar man, with the five-octave vocal range is redefining what soul music, the singer songwriter style, and world music is all about.
... a master of his instrument, a superb storyteller, a gracious human-being
Robert Papaleoni, Co-Executive Producer OLA ONABULE IN CONCERT
WCNY TV (PBS) Syracuse, NY, USA
September 2007 will see the welcome release of The Devoured Man, the latest album from Ola Onabule, one of the finest soul/jazz singer-songwriters of his generation and, above all, one of the UK's most compelling contemporary performers.
The Devoured Man is a collection of 12 powerfully emotive and introspective songs that weave incisive lyrics around captivating melodies. The title song deals with the corruptibility of men who come to power with ideals and dreams for their people and their apparent moral collapse once power has been seized – what happens to leaders and people in power who compromise those around them for individual gain and profit?
From July through to December 2007, Ola Onabule will undertake an international tour, which will take in dates in the US plus four major festivals in Germany and Switzerland as well as a whole raft of UK dates.
Ola's following in the US continues to rise, with several visits under his belt including, most recently, an appearance at the prestigious Kennedy Performing Arts Centre in Washington D.C., the Blue Note in New York and a filmed concert at the Homer Centre for the Performing Arts, New York State, which was broadcast on US television on 23rd and 27th May.
Ola Onabule has carved a unique career for himself via his powerful live performances and consistently fine albums. His performances are truly spellbinding, with his immense vocal range but above all through his communication with his audience, which is second to none. Nigerian in origin, Olaís music is influenced by the soul, jazz and African music of his childhood and he has opened and guested with many great artistes, including Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Roy Hargrove, Gladys Knight, Diane Reeves, Al Jarreau, Joe Zawinul and Patti LaBelle.
Recently Ola has been commissioned to write to arias for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and he has performed on film and television, including the film Second Hand Lions, featuring Robert Duvall and Michael Caine.
OLA ONABULE
THE DEVOURED MAN (RRAMCD12)
OUT ON RUGGED RAM RECORDS
http://www.olasmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/olaonabule
For CDs/further information/interviews etc. please contact Dorothy Howe
Tel: 020 8995 3920 • Email: press@dorothyhowe.co.uk