"It's fantastic music - I just love it!" —Hugh Masekela
“I really enjoyed your music! —Ottmar Liebert

Click titles below to read comments from:

PRESS  *   AUDIENCE  *   CLIENTS   *   EDUCATORS


PRESS

"The rhythm is solid and the music is
genuinely uplifting." —Downbeat

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“A bright and sensuous world-beat weave.” —Washington Post

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"Full of life-giving musical energy." —Cover

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"He has a fervent following."
—Entertainment Weekly

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“Critic’s choice! This is truly a supergroup, brought together by the joy of music-making.” —J. Poet

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"Great grooves!"—Bass Player

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"Vivacious show stealers—terrific music!"
—SF Chronicle

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“A dizzying mix of rhythms that has made it a dance club favorite.” —Oakland Tribune

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"A bubbling brew.”  —East Bay Express

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“Best of the Bay: The multidimensional sonic rhythms make it almost impossible not to get up and shake something.” —SF Weekly

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“;A superb expression, brimming with beats."
—SF Bay Guardian

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“One of the most exciting and popular bands
on the scene. With an all-star cast, the band locks into terrific, melodic grooves.”
—J. H. Thompkins, East Bay Express

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“Babá Ken Okulolo is a truly infectious singer.” —Time Out

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“They fuse blissful Afrobeat grooves with jazzy jamming. Prepare your moneymaker for shaking.” —SF Bay Guardian

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“Enthralls audiences with gleeful melodies and polyrhythms.” —SF Chronicle

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“A pulse rhythm tour of West Africa, layered within Nigerian values (and plenty of good-natured humor). A raucous, whistling standing ovation brought the band
back—and yes, the people danced.”
—Jean Bartlett, Pacifica Tribune

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“The lush harmonies soothe the savage beast, and before long the complex rhythms engage the feet in uncontrolled movement.”
—Down Home Music

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“These legends of West African music have gathered together to create one of the only true Afrobeat experiences still alive today.” —Ashkenaz

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“With African Drum Songs, Babá Ken Okulolo has produced a solo album of drumming, percussion and vocals. It coasts along on buoyant rhythms, and by the mid-point, you are totally entranced. Then he changes gears and throws down a new rhythm and more enchanting melodies.” —Muzikifan

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“Every song is strong. A catchy message that should be heard far and wide.” —BAM

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“A splendid synthesis with a micropop edge,
a signpost for world music.” —Gavin Report

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“A lot of drive, with top-notch, rock-solid performers. #1 on our World Music Chart.” —College Music Journal

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“A red hot wonder playing an explosive brew.” —The Record

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“Vibrant, bustling energy, a provocative but wholly accessible mix, deep, melodic bass grooves and jazz informed horn work—a seductive power.”–Jason Fine, The Beat

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“A dizzying mix of rhythms that has made it a dance club favorite.”  –Oakland Tribune

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“Stunning. A ride on the cutting edge.”
—Santa Cruz Good Times

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“As vital and insistent as any electronic pop.” —Muzikifan

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"A winning combination, an intoxicating brew.” —Pulse

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"A vital pop experiment where consistently hard rhythms hide fangs beneath a sunny sheen.”
The Beat



EDUCATORS

“Baba Ken Okulolo does an absolutely outstanding job, working with students who range from beginners all the way up to advanced musicians. He is dependable, affable, and very encouraging to the students. They all love him. Our final concerts each summer are greatly enhanced by the performances of his students. They receive standing ovations every night. He shares the stage with them as a mentor and fellow performer, bringing great warmth and excitement to the stage. His wealth of experience as a seasoned professional make him an asset to any educational institution. I recommend him, without reservation.”
—Ms. Daisy Newman, Director,
Young Musicians Program, UC Berkeley

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“It was probably the best assembly we’ve ever had. The African dress, instruments, enthusiasm, and love for life were a great example for our students. It was wonderful to see the whole school dancing in a massive conga line!” —Gabriel S., Middle School Principal

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 “Thank you for your lecture-demonstration to my UCLA students. Not only did they enjoy it, but they were very impressed with your skills as a performer and teacher.”  —Dr. Jacqueline DjeDje, Dept. of Ethnomusicology, UCLA

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“Your school assemblies were fantastic! The kids (and staff!) felt transported to a wonderful resonant space—and we all had FUN! Your rapport with audiences is just great.” —Elementary Principal

 


AUDIENCE

“The spirit that flows off that stage is palpable, and a delight. It is wonderful to be in the presence of your music.”

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“Your music makes our bodies sing. Your joy lightens our hearts. Your respect and humility keep us dancing on the path. Thank you for sharing with us.”

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“Thank you for your beautiful music, beautiful souls, and dynamic rhythms!”

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“We saw you perform at the SF Zoo and since then your music has been our little boy’s favorite. He brings out percussion instruments and plays along whenever your tunes come on.”

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“Songs from the Village” is one of the most beautiful albums ever.”

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 “You were all beaming light and exuding good vibes. We were dancing and grinning all night.”

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“So much fun it's unbelievable. It makes me happy and energetic”

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“Thank you for an evening of reunion, joy, and excellent music. Congratulations to all your band members for their superb skills.”

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“I was just blown away. I was absolutely speechless throughout. I’ve seen many shows at the Freight, and this ranks up there with the best.”

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“My feet wouldn’t stop moving.”

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“Thank you so much for the gift of your smiles, talent, grace, humor, and of course, song!”

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 “I was so touched by your beautiful music and your presence. It was a rare blessing to find myself surrounded by such perfection. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.”

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“Wow! I felt it in my soul. Much love and happiness for an evening of glorious dance!”  

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 “Thank you, beautiful musicians. The dancing was transforming.”

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“I have been listening to your music for years now, after finding your CD in a small, roadside shop in Nova Scotia. It has brought my friends and me countless hours of joy.”


CLIENTS

“Babá Ken Okulolo is a pleasure to work with. At every event, people sought me out to say that his was the best live group they’ve seen.”
 —Dan Storper, CEO, Putumayo Music

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“You helped make our wedding a joyous and unforgettable occasion. Our friends and family are still talking about it.  My 94-year-old
great aunt said that it was the
best party she’d ever been to!”

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“People are still talking about our  wonderful benefit concert. You have a magical way
of making generations of people
collectively happy!”

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 “A job well done! The feedback  has been wonderful! You were a smash success!  —Sonoma Charity Auction Planner

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“We smile every time we think of you and the joy you spread with your amazing rhythms and spirited melodies. Thank you for being the perfect addition to our wedding.”  

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“Our guests loved it! I’ve had comments ranging from ‘What wonderful music!’ to ‘Of all
the fundraisers we’ve done, that’s the best music we’ve ever had!’”  

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 “On behalf of SF Recreation and Parks, many thanks! We enjoyed meeting you, feeling in our hearts, and dancing to your beautiful, wonderful happy music.” —Janice G.

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“This was our first event, and a steep learning curve. Your patience and kindness were very appreciated. Thank you for the beautiful blessing. We couldn't have chosen better!”  

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I can’t begin to tell you how much we enjoyed your performance. Your music was wonderful. The family's children were dancing and having
such fun. What a memorable moment.
I’ve had many appreciative comments.”  
—Private Event Planner

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“Everyone loved your wonderful performance, and it was a pleasure working with you!”  
—SF Zoological Society

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“Your energy, enthusiasm, and  spirit shone through and made our wedding party
an unforgettable day.”

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 “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Your musicians are gems, your music is uplifting and gives hope to all of us, and your generosity of spirit touches me greatly.”  —Cantor Roz Barak

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“Our employees will be talking about this day for many years. Thank you for sharing your Tribal songs with us.”  —Eagle Mountain Casino

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“Your music at our wedding was infectious and  joyous. Even our 80-year-old relatives were out on the floor. Many, many people showered us with superlatives on how great your music
was. You made our wedding just what
we wanted it to be—a knockout party.”  

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“We heard rave reviews from many participants. Thank you wholeheartedly for all the energy
and spirit you brought to the event.”

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“Your music was just the right blend to provide atmosphere as well as excitement. Many people told me how you were the perfect accompaniment to our auction and dinner.”

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“I am extremely pleased. The set-up and sound checks were completed in good time and it was just the right level of music for our reception.  I received many favorable comments.”