AYETORO INTERVIEW FOR AYAKA ONLINE
Ayetoro is an internationally acclaimed Afrojazz collective led by one of Nigeria's most talented composers and pianists Funsho Ogundipe .Photo by Numero Unoma.
originally published in ayaka online
February 28, 2012
AYETORO INTERVIEW FOR AYAKA ONLINE
1. Ayetoro is often mistaken for the town with a similar name. What prompted you to name the band Ayetoro
A. The name conjures a vision of order. After chaos order is a mathematical possibility. With order peace has a chance. So the name represents to the band an ordered world of peace. Directly translated, it means a world of peace/order.
2. Describe Ayetoro’s music and bran
A. The band was formed in 1996 in Nigeria. Our first album Naija Blues featured Segun Arinze, the late J T West, Shadrack John and a host of other guest artists. I then relocated to the UK. In London, together with music talents such Byron Wallen the trumpeter, guitar player Jim Mulle, bass player Orefo Orakwue etc, Ayetoro performed at live shows across the UK. In 2007, we formed Ayetoro Ghana with an equally talented group of musicians such as bassist Phillip Acquah, drummer C C Frank. Our producer engineer Panji Anoff lives and works from out of Accra. What you hear now is the new Ayetoro in Nigeria which was formed when I came back in 2010. The journey has been remarkable playing alongside respected talented musicians worldwide. The one constant about Ayetoro is that it has been and remains open to musicians that understand the music and bring a certain level of quality and creativity to it. Asa toured with us, the legendary guitarist Oscar Ellimbi and bass player Falna King both from Cameroon played in the first edition of Ayetoro in Lagos. Today’s Ayetoro is experimenting with music genres such as Rap, Poetry, Neo Soul and Blues. What remains unchanged is the quality of our music. There are no compromises there. The brand is rooted in tradition yet very modern.
3. Which of your songs leave a vivid memory whether it the writing or performance?
A. Recording and mixing the Afrobeat Chronicles Vol 1 album in a day. No overdubs or editing and no time for multiple takes . Such a challenge but the band rose to the task magnificently.
4. Although you're not mainstream, it's been 16 years of sheer musical genius as seen in the quality of your work, but do you think you've broken trough in Nigeria yet. Do you feel any sense of acceptance by Nigerians yet?
A. Nigeria is what it is. We live we love we cry and we never say never. Afrobeat or Jazz is underground music nationwide so we put everything in its proper place.
5. Culturally what is the significance of the traditional symbols and Yoruba language we see and hear all over Ayetoro's works?
A. Our culture is the basis for everything we do. It is the same for those who hold the scroll in the right hand. The Yoruba possess a magnificent artistic tradition. We are only carrying on in that tradition as we are based in that cultural area in Nigeria.
6. Ayetoro's new single Asoju Oba just dropped online. Can you explain the album, artwork and the people that worked with you on it?
A. Asoju Oba roughly translates into The kings observer. It marks the beginning of a conceptual series of albums featuring contemporary art. The album is our homage to the deep cultural ties between Bahia in Brasil and the Yorubas in Nigeria Benin Togo and Ghana. The title is inspired by a character Oju Oba in the book Tent of Miracles by Brazilian author Jorge Amado. It features three tracks which showcase the different ayetoro bands.
Baba don go is a tribute to Fela Kuti. With Lady Jay from Ghana and Skillz from Nigeria on spoken word. Solos are by Byron Wallen and Shabakka Hutchings in the UK.
Asoju Oba is an instrumental feature.
Seeds in the Pod/Love is my Religion is where Afrobeat meets conscious Hip Hop and guest stars Mendo with Caroline Fusi singing the hook. I take piano solos. The artwork was created by the Brazilian artist Prila Paiva from Sao Paulo. Seeds in the Pod is inspired by the Sufi poetry of Abu Bakr Ibn al Arabi especially love is my religion.
Technically we collaborated with Panji Anoff of Pidgen Music Ghana who is in charge of our technical side. The tracks were recorded at Alpha Junes (Lagos), Livingstone Studios (London) and Pidgen (Accra) and mastered by Sonny at Spare Dougal (London).
7. Where can we find the album and is there a plan for a launch in Nigeria?
A. Currently the album is available as a digital download on iTunes. The address is: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ayetoro/id7871324. Then it will be available on cd and as a 12inch vinyl record in Nigeria in April 2012. Fans can like Ayetoro Live on Facebook and our official page is www.myspace.com/ayetoro
8. Are you looking for any future collaborations with any artists (Nigeria or international)? Who?
Watch this space!
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