Babá Ken Okulolo (born September 12, 1950) is a Nigerian bassist and bandleader who was first seen in the U.S. in 1985 with King Sunny Ade's world-touring band. He has played with renowned Afrobeat creator Fela Anikulapo Kuti, highlife master Victor Olaiya, and was a founder of the Afro-rock group Monomono in the 1970s. Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he leads four bands that represent his various musical specialties: Kotoja (an international Afro-funk band); the Nigerian Brothers (traditional folk music); the West African Highlife Band (highlife hits of yesteryear); and the Afro-Beat Connexion (modern Afrobeat collaboration with other African and American musicians).[1] Babá Ken has also headlined such venues as Lincoln Center, The Fillmore, The Warfield, LACMA, the Oakland Coliseum, Yoshi's, The Greek Theater, and the Great American Music Hall.[2][3][4]
Discography
Albums
1976 – Ken Okulolo Talkin' Bass Experience (E.M.I Nigeria Ltd)
1990 – Babá Ken and Kotoja Freedom Is What Every Body Needs (Inner Spirit Records)
1991 – Babá Ken and Kotoja Freedom Is What Every Body Needs (Mesa/Blue Moon Recordings (Re-Issued))
