Classical and Jazz: Preview - Tony Allen leads concert to celebrate 50 years of Nigeria's independence
Published: 30 September 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
TWO anniversaries are being celebrated at a Barbican Hall concert next Wednesday evening that’s likely to involve a dazzling of Afrobeat/jazz music and singing.
Tony Allen, regarded by some as the world’s greatest drummer, celebrated his 70th birthday in August and he’s marking the event by leading the concert to celebrate Nigeria’s 50th year of independence.
A self-taught drummer, Allen began to play American jazz and traditional African music when he was 18. Six years later, he was invited to join a new highlife jazz band being formed by Fela Kuti, the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist and human rights activist.
On joining the band, Allen became the centre of the new Afrobeat sound combining soul jazz and the poly-rhythms of Yoruba music, staying on to record more than 30 albums with Fela.
Joining Tony Allen at the concert will by Fela’s son, Seun Kuti; saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis; South African singer Thandiswa; and, from this country, jazz musicians Jason Yarde and Byron Wallen.
Others include soul jazz singer Eska Mtungwazi; Senegal musician Cheikh Lo; and Afrobeat pianist Dele Sosimi.