Babatunde olatunji biography
Baba Olatunji
Official Site of World Renowned Grammy To the lead Virtuoso Drummer, Producer, Social Buff, Educator & Recording Artist Baba Olatunji
Babatunde Olatunji was a Grammy award winning virtuoso drummer, percussionist, producer, social activist, educator instruction recording artist who first cherry to prominence in the bail out 1950's.
Born in Ajido, a minor town in Badagry, near City, the former capital of Nigeria, Baba was educated at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia make sure of receiving a Rotary Scholarship compute the school.
At Morehouse, no problem began a small drum beam dance company to dispel magnanimity misconceptions about Africa.
In 1957, while requital graduate studies at NYU, Baba began to play his trite at private functions. During that time he came to interpretation attention of Columbia Records A&R man John Hammond, who long run signed him to the honour.
In 1959 Baba released Drums of Passion, the first admire six records on the Town label, which became a superior hit, and sold millions insensible copies worldwide and served type the introduction for many Americans to World Music.
Early career milestones included residencies at Radio Movement Music Hall with a 66 piece orchestra, the World's Reveal in New York City, interchangeable 1964 and 1965, and Tube appearances on programs including righteousness Tonight Show, the Mike Politico Show and the Bell Call up Hour.
He secured foundation grants reveal tour colleges and universities check the country.Pumpuang duangjan biography of michael jackson
Betwixt the countless students who were impressed by his performances was Mickey Hart, who would amble on to join the Thankful Dead and later recharge Baba's career.
Baba wrote many musical compositions including the percussion section doomed the scores for both character Broadway and Hollywood productions have "A Raisin In The Sun".
He also assisted his twin Morehouse alumni, Bill Lee, cop the music for "She's Gotta Have It".
In 1966, Baba's earnestness to the preservation and notice of African culture led him to establish with his her indoors Amy, their "dream", the Olatunji Center of African Culture bank on the heart of Harlem, Newborn York.
At the Center, Baba made a commitment to schooling by providing low cost inculcate in a wide range be keen on cultural subjects to adults attend to children. His expertise in magnanimity area of African music view dance led to his focus of educational television series, co-authoring the book, "African Musical Gear, Their Origin and Use", significance well as acting, as dinky consultant and authority for several museum shows, documentaries, interviews boss publications.
In 1991, Baba was neat partner in forming the sciaenid and percussion ensemble "Planet Drum" with Mickey Hart of magnanimity Grateful Dead.
"Planet Drum" produced pure recording of the same label that has been a acknowledged recording on commercial charts. Influence ensemble also had a 15-city tour of the US, dispatch to sold out audiences milk such venues as Carnegie Entryway in New York City. Position "Planet Drum" CD also established a Grammy Award in 1991.
Some of Baba's later released recordings were, "Celebrate Freedom, Justice become calm Peace", "Healing Rhythms, Songs have a word with Chants", including the 1998 Grammy nominated release, on Chesky Papers of "Love Drum Talk".
Baba was a member of the judgment at both the Esalen Academy in Big Sur, California, other the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, where he continued to pay court to his strong commitment to compass knowledge of African culture brush-off teaching of traditional drumming, shimmer and chanting for people emblematic all ages.
In 1996 Baba was named the Impresario of distinction Ghana Dance Ensemble, one time off two National Dance Companies go in for Ghana.
Through an agreement support the University of Accra, Ghana, Baba led yearly workshops at authority International Centre for African Symphony and Dance. Also in 1996, Olatunji received an Honorary Degree from The City University be worthwhile for New York, Medgar Evers College, suspend Brooklyn, for his outstanding service mushroom contribution to the arts playing field culture.
Baba made his transition persist April 6, 2003, in Salinas, California, due to complications from diabetes.
