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... ‘KUNLE AYO ‘Jazz guitarist Kunle Ayo's virtuosity with the strings has earned him several musical accolades and even comparisons, with giants of the contemporary school like George Benson, Earl Klugh and locally-based Jimmy Dludlu. His guitar work pulls at the heart-strings - soulful as it is cheerful, funky as it is jazzy.
‘A dazzling live performer, Kunle was part of the 2006 Joy of Jazz Guitar Summit which included guitar masters Jimmy Dludlu, Alvin Dyers and Louis Mhlanga. Since his trek to the south in 2002, Kunle has performed and recorded with some of the country's best artists - notably Marcus Wyatt (trumpet), Buddy Wells (saxophone), Moses Khumalo, Musa Manzini, Nombulelo Maqetuka, Judith Sephuma and Bayete frontman Jabu Khanyile. Internationally, Kunle has also shared the stage with Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Al Jarreau and Jonathan Butler.
‘In 2004 Kunle joined internationally respected trombonist Jonas Gwangwa, pianist Don Laka, gospel's First Lady Rebecca Malope and People's Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli into the stellar stable of T-Musicman, the country's leading promotions and event Management Company. He runs his own company, K Cool Productions, and has produced music for talented acts like MXO, Mac Jays, Peggy, Dudu Ndlovu, Mayé and a host of others. As one of the most sought after performers Kunle has appeared in lots of jazz concerts, notably Joy of Jazz, Jazz By The River, MACFEST, Mapungubwe Jazz Festival and Joy of Jazz International Festival. But what makes him such an exceptional stage performer? ''What makes my shows special is the positive response I receive from the audience. My philosophy on live entertainment is that I don’t play for the people but I play with the people.
‘But perhaps the answer lies in the meaning of his name. Loosely translated Kunle means ''abundance'' in his native Yoruba tongue. Literally ''kun'' means ''to fill'' and ''le'' stands for ''house''. So in a way perhaps he was destined to literally fill houses with his beautiful music. Born of Yoruba parents in Lagos, Nigeria, Kunle recalls how as a youngster he had always had an affinity to play, starting with drums and thumb piano and later graduating to guitar when he was a twenty-year old accountancy student.
‘''I could have easily become an accountant but after my father gave me that guitar as a birthday gift I was really inspired and encouraged to pursue music.
‘Brought up in a devout Christian household, it was logical that he would join a gospel band, De Cross and after completing his accountancy studies in 1996, The Compassion Band, the latter, which proved to be an influential outfit that exposed him to the big time. By the late nineties he was part of Lagos's musical mainstream as a groundbreaking guitarist who was experimenting with cool/fusion styles made popular by artists like George Benson and Jonathan Butler while at the same time drawing inspiration from indigenous styles such as Juju, Highlife and Afro-Beat - the latter a traditional/jazz blend that was invented by the late Fela Kuti.
‘By 2000 Kunle was recording and playing with some of Nigeria's internationally respected artists, including Chief Ebenezer Obey, Kayode Olajide and the enigmatic Lagbaja (The Masked One) with whom he toured Europe, North Africa and South America. ''No doubt those tours marked my highlight as a professional musician but I wanted an environment where I could focus and develop my style as a recording artist.''
‘He found that environment, when he travelled south in 2002 after signing a recording deal with Universal Music at their Sandton, Johannesburg offices. And although his first album Ayo (Joy) didn't have an impact - the polished guitarist with refined sounds is on the rise to stardom. Here is what some of his friends say:
‘KUNLE! It's a good thing we in the States don't know what that name means, because once you hear his incredible, energetic, world-beat, soulful, jazzy, uplifting music, you'll still be baffled anyway! What is a Kunle?! Just listen and be transformed.’ ‘Kirk Whalum
‘Giving a shout out to you---Mr. Kunle, musician extraordinaire. The world awaits your awesome talent. Keep spreading the love with your beautiful music. "coming to a town near you" master musician Kunle / bringing you all styles...jazz, afro, soul, funk, mellow vibes... ‘’Mausiki Scales, common ground.
“Kunle has a rare combination of gifts—he is able to tell a story simply with a melody on guitar and at the same time, fill the ears of a listener with an incredibly authentic musical point of view. His passion feels rooted in his love for his homeland and his distinct appreciation for humanity. The music he makes is a thing of beautyâ€. ‘Dave Koz
AWARDS
‘His second album, Beyond the Borders, effortlessly marries West African rhythms with South African sounds. Its eclectic style and sublime beauty was instrumental in earning him the continent's highest musical accolade, a Kora Award for 2004 in the Best Male Artist (West Africa) category. Slowly But Surely, a smooth ballad from Beyond The Borders, won him Best Jazz Video during the Channel O Awards (2005).
‘DISCOGRAPHY
- Ayo (Joy) [Universal Music, 2002] - Beyond the Borders (Universal Music, 2003) - Sincerely Yours (Bula Music, 2005) - Live At the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz (Bula Music, 2006).DVD.