Described as possibly the greatest voice in UK soul ever, Ola Onabule makes his debut IW performance at the Quay next month.
OLA spent his formative years in Nigeria, West Africa. An artistic kid who knew he would be an entertainer of some kind, saw the legendary James Brown live in concert in the early ’70s – this immediately inspired him to pursue a career as a singer.
OLA returned to Britain, to pursue an education that ultimately should have lead to a degree in law, however it was not the Bar that had the strongest hold on OLA’s attention but the jazz bars and music venues of London.
He dropped out of Law School and enrolled at art college where he knew there would be music-a-plenty and joined every band he could find!
Soon he was collaborating with other musicians on the London gig circuit and signed to an Elektra US album deal. OLA has opened for and guested with artistes such as Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, Diane Reeves, Al Jareau, Patti LaBelle, Tower of Power, Joe Zawinul and Roy Hargrove.
He has collaborated with others such as Courtney Pine, NITRO and world event organisers, Serious. OLA has even composed commissioned Arias for the Royal Opera House.
OLA’s recording career started in ’94 with his debut track You’d Better Believe and he has since spawned a further six well-received albums, with the most recent launched in the autumn of 2007, The Devoured Man. OLA’s songwriting is rich in melody, set to complex yet infectious rhythms. They are tinged with the influence of his African roots.
He has been praised for his BBC live performances; ‘this guy is amazing, never before have I seen someone so totally connect with their audience – if you only see one soul singer this year, make sure it’s OLA’ (Echoes Magazine).
Bits and Bobs:
Performance Date/Time: Sat 5 Jul 8pm Doors 7pm
Location: Anthony Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts
Ticket Price: £12 / £11
Box Office 01983 822490
