 Babatunde
(Baba) Olatunji, the Nigerian bandleader, teacher
and tireless ambassador for African music and
culture in the United States, died on Sunday,
April 06, 2003 from complications of advanced
diabetes. He was seventy six years old. I‘ll
remember Baba as a legend who was responsible
for bringing the rhythms of Africa to North America,
and for giving a generation of African Americans
a style of music with which they could identify.
The
importance of Baba’s first album, Drums
of Passion, to African music in America, is immeasurable.
Released in 1959, it was the first album of African
drumming released in stereo, from an American
studio, and it introduced a generation to the
power and intricacy of African music. While field
recordings had previously been available in North
America, Drums of Passion reached a much larger
percentage of the music-listening population with
its vivid sound and exotic song titles like "Primitive
Fire". The influential album effected artists
like Bob Dylan, and sparked a wave of African-jazz
fusions in the early 1960’s. "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba",
a song from the album, was remade as "Jingo",
the first single to be released by Santana in
1969.
Born
and raised in Ajido, a small African fishing and
trading village, Baba’s childhood was steeped
in the Yoruba culture, which he brought to audiences
during his performances. Draped in elaborate raffia
costumes, his band of drummers and dancers evoked
both the village’s music and its masquerades.
 Prior
to becoming an unofficial emissary for African
music, Baba studied public administration with
aspirations to become a diplomat. While at New
York University, he formed an African-style ensemble
that eventually became his full-time occupation.
The group performed at concerts and at civil rights
rallies led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. After signing with Columbia, Baba and his
band secured foundation grants to tour schools,
influencing students like Mickey Hart, who would
later become part of the Grateful Dead.
After
his contract with Columbia ended in 1985, Baba
was invited by Mickey Hart to open for The Grateful
Dead’s New Year’s Eve show in Oakland,
California, a gig which introduced his music to
a whole new audience and generation. "Drums
of Passion: the Beat" and "Drums of
Passion: the invocation" were re-released
in 1985 and in 1988, respectively, at the urging
of Mr. Hart. During the 1990’s, Baba toured
with Mr. Hart as a member of his world-beat super
group, Planet Drum.In 1986, he moved to Big Sur
where he became an artist in residence at Esalen.
Baba’s
credo "Rhythm is the soul of life. The whole
universe revolves in rhythm. Everything and every
human action revolves in rhythm" can be felt
in all facets of his life. He continued to lead
his band, Drums of Passion, which included his
students and family members, until shortly before
his death.
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