Lekan Babalola's Sacred Funk Project
Twice Grammy award winning Nigerian percussionist, Lekan Babalola, is well
known for his innovative musical style, using his native Yoruba tongue infused
with traditional music, Afrobeat and funky dance overtones.
Awarded his first Grammy in 2006 for performances on the late Ali Farka
Toure’s album ‘In the Heart of the Moon’, he was awarded a second at the 49th
Grammy awards in 2009 for his work as Associate Producer on the American
jazz diva Cassandra Wilson’s album ‘Loverly’. World press has given him rave
reviews for his percussive ‘wizardry’ and infectious grooves.
Lekan received a cultural and political apprenticeship from the late Fela Kuti
and has since performed with the likes of Ernest Ranglin, Branford Marsalis,
PRINCE, African Jazz All Stars, Roy Ayers, The Kate Luxmoore Group, David
Byrne, Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, Damon Albarn, Tony Allen, The KLLB
Band, Axelle Red, Pinse Saul, Queen Salawa Abeni, Pharoah Sanders and
Jean Toussaint and is currently touring the world with Atomic Bomb Band.
The Sacred Funk Project brings you sacred music with funky dance beats.
“For me, music is about crossing boundaries and finding commonality globally. I
love combining ancient and contemporary and my work with the Sacred Funk
project has given me another opportunity to take traditional vibes and give them
a contemporary twist,” says Babalola. “Yoruba culture weaves its way through
our modern lives through music and rhythm, and this gives me the chance to tell
its story, making it relevant to everyone today.”
Tickets £15 / £10 concessions.
Kids £5! (under 16)
Doors open 7pm.
