World music pioneer Babatunde Olatunji dies at 76

Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2003 05:18:42 -0400 (EDT)
Newsgroups: rec.music.gdead
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World music pioneer Babatunde Olatunji dies at 76
Thu Apr 10, 7:42 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - World music pioneer Babatunde Olatunji, the
Nigerian drummer and bandleader whose groundbreaking 1959 recording
"Drums of Passion" brought African music to a wide American audience,
has died at age 76, hospital officials said Thursday.
=A0Olatunji, who was born and raised in a tiny Nigerian fishing village,
died Sunday morning at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, a hospital
spokesman said, declining further details. The musician's daughter told
the New York Times her father died of complications of advanced
diabetes.
Olatunji influenced many musicians over his career and at the time of
his death was living at the nearby Esalen Institute in Big Sur as an
artist-in-residence.
While he garnered numerous accolades over his career, the landmark
"Drums of Passion" stands out as an album that critics say introduced
Americans to the intricacy and power of African music. It is also
considered the first African album recorded in a modern studio.
In 1950 Olatunji came to the United States to study at Morehouse College
in Atlanta to prepare for a career as a diplomat. But while studying
public administration at New York University, he formed an African-style
drum ensemble and embarked on a completely different path.
His band appeared at civil rights rallies led by Martin Luther King Jr.,
performed at New York's famed Radio City Music Hall and was eventually
signed by Columbia Records.
He eventually opened the Olatunji Center for African Culture in Harlem
with help from jazz great John Coltrane where he gave music and dance
lessons until 1988.
Olatunji also influenced a wave of musicians who began experimenting in
the 1960s with fusing African sounds into their own music. His song
"Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" was later recorded by rock guitarist Carlos Santana.
Years later in 1991 Olatunji received a Grammy Award for his
collaboration with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart on "Planet Drum."
The musician also wrote a number of scores for Broadway and Hollywood
productions, including the music for Spike Lee's "She's Gotta Have It."
Olatunji's most recent album "Love Drum Talk" was released in 1997 and
went on to win a nomination for the 1998 Grammy for Best World Music
Album.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, two daughters, a brother, and
seven grandchildren.
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From one ba ba to another ba ba,
see and hear ya on the other side.
.
.
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