Babatunde Olatunji
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Michael Babatunde Olatunji (April 7, 1927 – April 6, 2003) was a Nigerian drummer,
educator A teacher, also called a schoolteacher or formally an educator, is a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence, or virtue, via the practice of teaching. ''Informally'' the role of teacher may be taken on by anyone (e.g. w ...
,
social activist Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make Social change, changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from ...
, and recording artist.


Early life

Olatunji was born in the village of Ajido, near Badagry,
Lagos State Lagos State (, ) is a States of Nigeria, state in South West, Nigeria. Of the 36 States of Nigeria, Nigerian states, Lagos is the second List of Nigerian states by population, most populous state but the List of Nigerian states by area, smallest ...
, in southwestern
Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
. A member of the Ogu (Egun) people, Olatunji was introduced to traditional African music at an early age. His name, Bàbátúndé, means 'father has returned', because he was born two months after his father, Zannu, died, and Olatunji was considered to be a
reincarnation Reincarnation, also known as rebirth or transmigration, is the Philosophy, philosophical or Religion, religious concept that the non-physical essence of a living being begins a new lifespan (disambiguation), lifespan in a different physical ...
of him. His father was a local fisherman who was about to rise to the rank of
chieftain A tribal chief, chieftain, or headman is a leader of a tribe, tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies There is no definition for "tribe". The concept of tribe is a broadly applied concept, based on tribal concepts of societies of weste ...
, and his mother was a potter. Olatunji grew up speaking the Gun (Ogu/Egun) and
Yoruba language Yoruba (, ; Yor. ) is a Niger–Congo languages, Niger-Congo language that is spoken in West Africa, primarily in South West (Nigeria), Southwestern and Middle Belt, Central Nigeria, Benin, and parts of Togo. It is spoken by the Yoruba people. ...
s. His maternal grandmother and a great-grandmother were priestesses of the Vodun and Ogu religions, and they worshipped the Vodun, such as Kori, the goddess of fertility. Due to his father's premature death, from an early age he was groomed to take the position as chief. When he was 12, he realized that he did not want to become a chieftain. He read in '' Reader's Digest'' magazine about the Rotary International Foundation's scholarship program, and applied for it. His application was successful and he went to the United States in 1950 to attend Morehouse College in
Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
.


Education

In Morehouse, Olatunji became good friends with Morehouse College Glee Club director Dr. Wendell P. Whalum. He never sang in the Glee Club, but collaborated with Whalum on a staple of the choir's repertoire, "Betelehemu", a Nigerian Christmas carol. After graduating, he went on to
New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...
to study public administration. There, he started a small percussion group to earn money on the side while he continued his studies.


Career

After hearing Olatunji perform with the 66 piece Radio City Music Hall orchestra
Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American reco ...
signed Olatunji to the Columbia label in 1958. One year later he released his first of six records on the Columbia label, called '' Drums of Passion''. ''Drums of Passion'' became a major hit and remains in print; it introduced many Americans to
world music "World music" is an English phrase for styles of music from non-English speaking countries, including quasi-traditional, Cross-cultural communication, intercultural, and traditional music. World music's broad nature and elasticity as a musical ...
. Drums of Passion also served as the band's name. Olatunji won a following among
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
musicians, by infusing Nigerian rhythms with elements drawn from Ghanaian and Afro-Caribbean traditions. Most notably creating a strong relationship with
John Coltrane John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the Jazz#Post-war jazz, history of jazz and 20th-century musi ...
, with whose help he founded the Olatunji Center for African Culture in
Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and Central Park North on the south. The greater ...
. This was the site of Coltrane's final recorded performance in 1967. Coltrane wrote the composition "Tunji" on the 1962 album '' Coltrane'' in dedication to him. Olatunji recorded with many other prominent musicians (often credited as "Michael Olatunji"), including
Cannonball Adderley Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928August 8, 1975) was an American jazz Alto saxophone, alto saxophonist of the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. Adderley is perhaps best remembered by the general public for the 1966 soul ...
(on his 1961 '' African Waltz'' album), Horace Silver,
Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (March 14, 1933 – November 3, 2024) was an American record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter, and bandleader. Over the course of his seven-decade career, he received List of awards and nominations re ...
, Pee Wee Ellis,
Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...
, Randy Weston, and with Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln on the pivotal ''Freedom Now Suite'' aka '' We Insist!'', and with
Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead was an American rock music, rock band formed in Palo Alto, California, in 1965. Known for their eclectic style that fused elements of rock, blues, jazz, Folk music, folk, country music, country, bluegrass music, bluegrass, roc ...
member
Mickey Hart Mickey Hart (born Michael Steven Hartman, September 11, 1943) is an American percussionist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from September 1967 until February 19 ...
on his Grammy winning ''Planet Drum'' projects. He is also mentioned in the lyrics of
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...
's " I Shall Be Free," recorded for the album '' The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan''. He appeared in the second season episode "Olatunji – An African in New York" of the CBC television show Quest broadcast May 6, 1962, a series which also starred Bob Dylan in an episode from March 10, 1964. In 1969, Carlos Santana had a major hit with his cover version of " Jin-go-lo-ba" from Olatunji's first album, which Santana recorded on his debut album, ''
Santana Santana may refer to: Transportation * Volkswagen Santana, an automobile * Santana Cycles, manufacturer of tandem bicycles * Santana Motors, a former Spanish automobile manufacturer * Sailboat designs by W. D. Schock Corp ** Santana 20 ** Santan ...
'', as "Jingo". Olatunji's subsequent recordings include ''Drums of Passion: The Invocation'' (1988), ''Drums of Passion: The Beat'' (1989) (which included Airto Moreira and Carlos Santana), ''Love Drum Talk'' (1997), ''Circle of Drums'' (2005; originally titled ''Cosmic Rhythm Vibrations'', with Muruga Booker and Sikiru Adepoju), and ''Olatunji Live at Starwood'' (2003 – recorded at the 1997 Starwood Festival with guest Halim El-Dabh). He also contributed to ''Peace Is the World Smiling: A Peace Anthology for Families'' on the Music for Little People label (1993).


Film and theatre

Olatunji's most notable involvement comes from composing music for both the Broadway theatrical and the 1961 Hollywood film adaptations of Lorraine Hansberry's acclaimed play, '' Raisin in the Sun''. Olatunji's musical compositions added a rich and evocative layer to these productions, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the storytelling. In 1986, he played a role in the creation of the soundtrack for Spike Lee's film, '' She's Gotta Have It.'' Collaborating with renowned musician Bill Lee, Olatunji lent his expertise to the musical score, contributing to the film's cultural resonance and critical acclaim. His involvement in this project underscored his ability to seamlessly blend traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds, creating a musical backdrop that complemented the narrative and resonated with audiences. Furthermore, Olatunji's collaboration with Bill Lee on '' She's Gotta Have It'' exemplifies his commitment to fostering intergenerational musical partnerships. Assisting Bill Lee, and by extension, contributing to the success of Spike Lee's directorial debut, Olatunji showcased not only his musical prowess but also his ability to mentor and inspire emerging talents in the industry.


Activism

Olatunji was known for making an impassioned speech for social justice before performing in front of a live audience. His progressive political beliefs are outlined in ''The Beat of My Drum: An Autobiography'', with a foreword by
Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (, ; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing mo ...
, (
Temple University Temple University (Temple or TU) is a public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1884 by the Baptist ministe ...
Press, 2005). He toured the American south with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and joined King in the march on Washington. When he performed before the United Nations General Assembly, Soviet Premier
Nikita Khrushchev Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev (– 11 September 1971) was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964 and the Premier of the Soviet Union, Chai ...
took off his shoes and danced. Later, he was one of the first outside performers to perform in
Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...
at
Václav Havel Václav Havel (; 5 October 193618 December 2011) was a Czech statesman, author, poet, playwright, and dissident. Havel served as the last List of presidents of Czechoslovakia, president of Czechoslovakia from 1989 until 1992, prior to the dissol ...
's request. On July 21, 1979, he appeared at the Amandla Festival along with
Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, he fused elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady and was renowned for his distinctive voca ...
, Dick Gregory,
Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American Rhythm and blues, R&B singer and actress. She has been referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Godmother of Soul". LaBelle began ...
and
Eddie Palmieri Eddie Palmieri (born December 15, 1936) is an American Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer of Corsican and Puerto Rican ancestry. He is the founder of the bands La Perfecta, La Perfecta II, and Harlem River Drive. ...
, amongst others.


Teaching career

Olatunji was a music educator, and invented a method of teaching and recording drum patterns which he called the "Gun-Dun, Go-Do, Pa-Ta" method after the different sounds made on the drum. He taught drum and dance workshops year-round starting in the late 1950s. Over the years he presented workshops nationally and internationally at colleges, universities, civic, cultural, and governmental organizations. He co-wrote ''Musical Instruments of Africa: Their Nature, Use and Place in the Life of a Deeply Musical People'' with Betty Warner-Dietz (John Day Company, 1965). He taught a summer drumming and African dance course with his wife, at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York for many summers during Family week. He also taught at the Esalen Institute in California beginning in 1985.


Later life and death

Starting in the late 1980s Olatunji had a resurgent late career with the release of recordings on the Rykodisc label, ''Olatunji - Drums of Passion,The Invocation and'' ''Olatunji - Drums of Passion, The Beat''. The 1990s brought further recordings with ''Babatunde Olatunji, Healing Session, (''originally released as a limited edition cassette tape and later on CD in 2003), and ''Drums of Passion - Freedom, Justice and Peace''. The 1991 release on Rykodisc, '' Planet Drum'', a collaboration with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, along with multiple drummers, spent a record setting streak of weeks as the number 1 ranked recording on Billboard's Top World Music Album chart. Olatunji with the drumming ensemble supported the recording with a ten city national tour, playing sold out shows at such venues as Carnegie Hall. In 1994, a major box set compiling the complete Columbia Record recordings was issued by Bear Family Records. The 1997 recording, "Love Drum Talk", on the Chesky label, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Beat Music. Throughout the 1990s Olatunji's tour schedule more than doubled bringing Drums of Passion to events as far-flung as the International Peace University, Berlin, Kodo Drum Society of Japan, The National Cathedral of the United States of America, Ontario Anti-Racist Secretariat, Universita della Studi di Napoli, United Nations Hunger Project, along with an endless schedule of theater and club dates. During the 1990s Olatunji's educational workshops were presented by organizations associated with the human potential movement, such as Esalen Institute, Omega Institute'','' Hollyhock Farm, and organizations in Europe. In 1997, Olatunji was impresario for the Ghana Dance Ensemble, bringing the world famous performance and education group from
Accra Accra (; or ''Gaga''; ; Ewe: Gɛ; ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , had a population of ...
, Ghana, to tour the U.S. In early 2000, Olatunji purchased a home in Washington, D.C., where he lived for a short time, along with his roommate, Professor Akinsola Akiwowo. There he was assisted by Jaqui MacMillan and Chris Stewart, before he sold the house and moved to California. For the few years before his death Olatunji made his home at the wild Big Sur coastline. He became a scholar-in-residence at the Esalen Institute. During this time, he already suffered severely from
diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...
and was assisted by Nora Arjuna, Leo Thompson, Jamie "Joriahna" Lee, and Leon Ryan until shortly before his death from
diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...
in
Salinas, California Salinas (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Salt pan (geology), Salt Flats") is a city in the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Monterey County, California, Monterey County. With a population of 163,542 in the 2020 Census, Salinas is ...
in 2003, one day before his 76th birthday. He was survived by his wife Amy, 3 children (Omotola Olatunji, Folasade Olatunji Olusekun, and Modupe Olatunji), 7 grandchildren, and a cousin, Akinsola Akiwowo.


Awards

* Olatunji was part of Mickey Hart's Planet Drum projects, including the album ''Planet Drum'', which won the
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...
for Best World Music Album of 1991, the first year for which the award was given. * He was an inductee into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2001. Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame website


Discography


Albums

* '' Drums of Passion'' ( Columbia, 1959) * ''Zungo!'' (Columbia, 1961) * ''Flaming Drums'' (Columbia, 1962) * ''High Life!'' (Columbia, 1963) * ''Drums!, Drums!, Drums!'' (
Roulette Roulette (named after the French language, French word meaning "little wheel") is a casino game which was likely developed from the Italy, Italian game Biribi. In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various grouping ...
, 1964) * ''Soul Makossa'' ( Paramount, 1973) * ''Dance to the Beat of My Drum'' ( Bellaphon, 1986) * ''Drums of Passion: The Invocation'' ( Rykodisc, 1988) * ''Drums of Passion: The Beat'' (Rykodisc, 1989) * ''Drums of Passion: Celebrate Freedom, Justice & Peace'' (Olatunji, 1993) * ''Drums of Passion and More'' ( Bear Family, 1994) * ''Babatunde Olatunji, Healing Rhythms, Songs and Chants'' (Olatunji, 1995) * ''Love Drum Talk'' (1997, Chesky) * ''Drums of Passion'' xpanded(2002) * ''Olatunji Live at Starwood'' (2003) Recorded Live at the Starwood Festival 1997 * ''Healing Session'' (2003,
Narada Narada (, ), or Narada Muni, is a sage-divinity, famous in Hinduism, Hindu traditions as a travelling musician and storyteller, who carries news and enlightening wisdom. He is one of the Manasputra, mind-created children of Brahma, the creator ...
) * ''Circle of Drums'' (2005, Chesky)


Videography

* ''Olatunji and His Drums of Passion'' (Video) (1986 Video Arts International) Recorded Live at Oakland Colisium 12/31/85 * ''Love Drum Talk'' (Video) (1998, CHE, TMS, Chesky) * ''African Drumming'' (Instructional video) (1993, Interworld) * ''Olatunji Live at Starwood'' (DVD) (2005, ACE) Recorded Live at the Starwood Festival 1997


As guest

With
Mickey Hart Mickey Hart (born Michael Steven Hartman, September 11, 1943) is an American percussionist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from September 1967 until February 19 ...
* '' At the Edge'' (Rykodisc, 1990) * '' Planet Drum'' (Rykodisc, 1991) * ''Mickey Hart's Mystery Box'' (Rykodisc, 1996) * '' Supralingua'' (Rykodisc, 1998) * '' Global Drum Project'' (Shout! Factory, 2007) * '' Mysterium Tremendum'' (360°, 2012) With others * 1960 '' We Insist!'', Max Roach * 1960 '' Uhuru Afrika'', Randy Weston * 1960 '' The Incredible Kai Winding Trombones'', Kai Winding * 1961 '' African Waltz'',
Cannonball Adderley Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928August 8, 1975) was an American jazz Alto saxophone, alto saxophonist of the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. Adderley is perhaps best remembered by the general public for the 1966 soul ...
* 1961 '' The Common Ground'',
Herbie Mann Herbert Jay Solomon (April 16, 1930 – July 1, 2003), known by his stage name Herbie Mann, was an American jazz Flute, flute player and important early practitioner of world music. Early in his career, he also played tenor saxophone and clarinet ...
* 1964 '' Gainsbourg Percussions'',
Serge Gainsbourg Serge Gainsbourg (; born Lucien Ginsburg; 2 April 1928 – 2 March 1991) was a French singer-songwriter, actor, composer, and director. Regarded as one of the most important figures in French pop, he was renowned for often provocative rel ...
* 1977 ''Home in the Country'', Pee Wee Ellis * 1977 '' Silver 'n Percussion'', Horace Silver * 1980 ''Connections'', Richie Havens * 1987 ''Taj'',
Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal ( ; ; ) is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal Empire, Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his belo ...
* 1988 ''The Other Side of This'', Airto Moreira * 1991 ''Jungle Fever'',
Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...
* 1991 ''Strange and Beautiful'', Crimson Glory * 1995 ''Dance of the Rainbow Serpent'', Carlos Santana * 1997 ''Jazz 'Round Midnight'',
Quincy Jones Quincy Delight Jones Jr. (March 14, 1933 – November 3, 2024) was an American record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter, and bandleader. Over the course of his seven-decade career, he received List of awards and nominations re ...
* 2000 ''The Rose That Grew from Concrete'', 2Pac * 2019 ''History'', Youssou N’Dour


See also

*
Polyrhythm Polyrhythm () is the simultaneous use of two or more rhythms that are not readily perceived as deriving from one another, or as simple manifestations of the same meter. The rhythmic layers may be the basis of an entire piece of music (cross-rh ...


References


Bibliography

* ''Musical Instruments of Africa: Their Nature, Use and Place in the Life of a Deeply Musical People'' (1965) with Betty Warner-Dietz. John Day Company OCLC: 592096 * Foreword to "The Drummer's Path: Moving the Spirit with Ritual and Traditional Drumming" (1992) by Súle Greg Wilson, Destiny Books * ''The Beat Of My Drum: An Autobiography'' (2005) (with a foreword by
Joan Baez Joan Chandos Baez (, ; born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing mo ...
).
Temple University Temple University (Temple or TU) is a public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related research university in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1884 by the Baptist ministe ...
Press ,


External links


Official site archived
AfricanMusic.org
Olatunji profile
salon.com

* * as Babatunde * as Michael {{DEFAULTSORT:Olatunji, Babatunde 1927 births 2003 deaths 20th-century American drummers American male drummers Chesky Records artists Columbia Records artists Deaths from diabetes in California Djembe players Master drummers Morehouse College alumni Musicians from Lagos Nigerian drummers Nigerian emigrants to the United States Nigerian percussionists Planet Drum members Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service alumni Yoruba musicians 20th-century American male musicians Provogue Records artists