OLATUJA

OLATUJA is a band, a project, and an album—all blending Afro-beat, jazz, funk, and soul to create a hard-grooving, soulful crowd pleaser. Fronting the band are Michael and Alicia Olatuja, longtime collaborators and former partners who each lead successful careers individually. No longer married, but still close friends, they have each found success at the highest levels of their respective careers. Hailing from London and Lagos, Nigeria, Michael is one of the most in-demand bassists in New York. He has worked and recorded with as many as one hundred artists, from Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling and Jose James to Stevie Wonder, Shakira, and Bebe Winans. Alicia is a mezzo-soprano known for her exquisite vocals, artistic versatility and captivating demeanor. She first hit the national spotlight in 2013 when she performed at President Barack Obama’s inauguration.

OLATUJA draws on the rich heritage of Michael’s Yoruba culture, the evolving popular music of West Africa, and the gospel and jazz traditions that inform Alicia’s musicality. They are joined by drummers Obed Calvaire and Joshua Keitt, guitarists Femi Temowo and David Rosenthal, percussionist Magatte Sow, and star pianist Christian Sands.