West African Highlife Band January 14, 2006

African Highlife dance classics are the heart and soul of concerts by the West African Highlife Band. Launched by Kotoja's Ken Okulolo, the West African Highlife Band was born from a request by late director of Ashkenaz, David Nadel, for a band to concentrate on Ghanaian and West African highlife dance music and rhythmic styles. With master musicians from several West African countries and the United States, the band draws on folk traditions combined with modern stylistic elements played with acoustic and electric instruments, and include the infectious classic highlife dance hits of Ghana and Nigeria.

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 acousing group THE NIGERIAN BROTHERS. You can read more about Baba Ken.

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 Nigerian Afro-beat, highlife, and spiritual music, bringing a unique sensibility to his highlife guitar interpretations.

Pope Flyne Ghanaian performer, composer and educator Pope Flyne is best known as lead vocalist for the legendary Sweet Talks band of Ghana, where he brought the art of highlife music to new heights. When not on stage, he shares his joyful spirit and vast knowledge of African folk music, dancing and precussion with his legions of American students.

Nii Armah Hammond A present and founding member of the seminal Ghanaian group Hedzoleh Soundz, which recorded on several unforgettable hit albums with Hugh Masekela, Nii Armah Hammond is "The Chief" of authentic highlife percussion.

Lemi Barrow Trap drummer Lemi Barrow brings a special, vibrant flavor to West African highlife music, brewed from his years of performing and wide experience with African, Brazilian, and African-American musicians.

Rasaki Aladokun Nigerian master talking-drummer/percussionist Rasaki Aladokun has toured for many years as lead talking drummer with King Sunny Ade. He is known for his spicy licks on a wide variety of African percussion instruments.