Baba Ken Okulolo:
Producer/Bandleader Ken Okulolo was first seen in the U.S. with King
Sunny Ade's African Beats. He was five times voted Nigeria's best
bassist by that country's music journalists. Deeply rooted in
traditional village music, as a youth he was bassist for several great
highlife bands, including that of the highlife master, Victor Olaiya.
Now, he also leads the modern Afro-beat band KOTOJA, and the acoustic group The Nigerian Brothers.
Soji Odukogbe: Nigeria's Soji Odukogbe was for five years the lead guitarist for the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He draws on an extensive background in spiritual music, bringing a unique sensibility to his highlife guitar interpretations.
Will Magid: UCLA senior in the Department of Ethnomusicology. While only 21, Will has performed with Solomon Burke, Kenny Burrell, Jay McShann and other heavyweight musicians. He has been seen playing trumpet at concerts and music festivals all over the U.S, Japan, and Ghana. Will organized "West Africa meets Westwood" to bring together passionate people of different geographic origins. Will would like to thank his trumpet teacher Bobby Rodriguez for allowing this event to count as his senior recital.
Also showcasing UCLA Musicians:
Peter Hargreaves: saxophone (Music composition)
Aaron Leibowitz: saxophone (Ethnomusicology, alumni)
Mark Banner: drum set (Ethnomusicology)
Shalev Netanel: guitar (Ethnomusicology)
Berkeley Everett: Keyboard(Ethnomusicology)
Dan Marschak: Keyboard (Ethnomusicology, Music composition)
Ethan Emerson: guitar (Ethnomusicology, alumni)
Elliot Deutsch: Trumpet ( Ethnomusicology Alumni)
Chris Bastian: Bass (Philosophy)
And UCLA Dancers:
Deborah Dauda (International development studies)
Flavia de la Fuente (Political Science)
