Babatunde Olatunji

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Babatunde Olatunji (April 7, 1927 – April 6, 2003) was a Nigerian drummer, educator, social activist and recording artist. Olatunji was born in the village of Ajido, a small town near Badagry, Lagos State, in southwestern Nigeria. A member of the Yoruba people, Olatunji was introduced to traditional African music at an early age. He read in Reader’s Digest magazine about the Rotary International Foundation’s scholarship program, and applied for it. He came to the United States of America in 1950. Olatunji won a following among jazz musicians, notably creating a strong relationship with John Coltrane and Columbia Records A&R man John Hammond who signed him to the Columbia label in 1957. With Coltrane’s help, he founded the Olatunji Center for African Culture in Harlem. This was the site of Coltrane’s final performance.

In 1959 Olatunji released his first of six records on the Columbia label, called Drums of Passion. In 1969, Carlos Santana had a major hit with his cover version of this first album’s “Jin-go-lo-ba,” which Santana recorded on his debut album, Santana, as “Jingo.” Olatunji favoured a big percussion sound, and his records typically featured more than 20 players, unusual for a percussion based ensemble. Drums of Passion became a major hit and remains in print; it introduced many Americans to world music. Drums of Passion also served as the band’s name. Notable band members included; Clark Terry, Bill Lee, Horace Silver, Yusef Lateef, Sikiru Adepoju and Charles Lloyd, among others.
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  • ksjn

    this is mad.

    January 2012

  • Nord-Sud

    Le grand Babatunde Olatunji, Grand Fils du Pays Yoruba!

    October 2011

  • barryvs

    Jin-goooooo

    July 2011

  • Ibby2506

    great tekkers with the drums!

    January 2011

  • WhoisLilo

    skills

    September 2010

  • ashleyrobb

    i remember picking drums of passion up on vinyl, listening and then freaking out when i knew the melodies--serge gainsbourg! he took this entire album and had fun with it.

    February 2010

  • Harfang

    DOMINIRA! <3 <3 <3

    February 2010

  • chellfreak

    what a beauty :)

    October 2009
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