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In spite of the language barrier (his songs are in "Luo"), Ayub creates a bond with the
audience, and draws them into his music.
Originally from Kenya, Ayub Ogada has lived in London since 1989. He has worked with artists such as: Carl
Wallinger, Peter Gabriel, The
Holmes Brothers and Jah Wobble.
Born in Mombasa, he traveled as a child with his parents, students of medicine and music, to the USA. In his own
words: “...to go to the US was
a cultural shock, but to return to Kenya was an even bigger one...” . In 1989, Ayub decided to move to London were he became part of the group
“TAXI PATA PATA”.
Ayub alternated between concerts with Taxi Pata Pata, solo concerts where he played his own compositions accompanied by the “nyatiti” (a
small harp), and during difficult times playing in the Metro. There he was discovered by a
DJ, who suggested that he play in theWOMAD Festival
in Cornualles, where he left a great impression on Peter Gabriel, who asked him to participate in the “Real World Recording
Weeks”,(recording sessions at Real World Studios that mixed musical styles from all over the
world).
In the spring of 1993, Ayub was invited to open for Peter Gabriel during a 2 month European tour. As a result of that tour, Ayub
recorded: "EN
MANA KUOYO", which was critically acclaimed.
Ayub is "Luo",a people from eastern Kenya. His music contains the traditions of his
people. He accompanies himself with the "Nyatiti" (small harp), acoustic bass and
percussion.
The music of Ayub Ogada is based on tradition, but the time he has spent in England has influenced his words and music. Ayub
says: “... you
can´t live in a place for several years without being influenced by it...”
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