Sola Akingbola performs and records with the successful British acid-funk band, Jamiroquai. He has also recorded with prominant soul-jazz guitarist, Ronny Jordan and performed with Aswad, Britain's most enduring reggae band. Sola is a percussionist and musical director for Yoruba Jazzpeople (YJP).

Sola is of Nigerian, specifically Yoruba descent. He grew up listening to traditional drum-centric Yoruba music. He was influenced by several Yoruba artists, including some now familiar to Western audiences--King Sunny Ade, Ayinla Kollington and Fela Akinulapo Kuti. Sola began his career as a vocalist ten years ago in London, when percussionist Gaspar Lawal, after working with such 60's rock giants as Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood, asked him to join The Oro Band. As a backup singer, he soon began experimenting with agogos and cowbells, and after two years "graduated" to a percussion slot. Sola still considers Lawal's innovative grooves "an inspiration" and today, YJP (which performs many Yoruba standards and includes one other member of Oro) is fronted by four powerful percussionists-on bata, talking drums, congas and timbales.

During his hectic schedule, Sola found time to come by my photo studio to have his photo taken and to record his thoughts on percussion, sing me a song and to create a personalized congahead.com theme.

To learn more about Sola Akingbola, CLICK HERE.