WURA SAMBA
AFROFOLK/AFROPERCUSSION (LAGOS)
Wura Samba is a 9-piece member afro drumming and percussion band that brings the electrifying vibrations of Africa. The band combines African drumming, folk songs and costumes in an innovative showcase. They perform contemporary African music using expired modernized Sambabe, an 8-piece traditional square wooden percussion instrument which is influenced mainly by the Yoruba culture of West Africa. Prominently supported by other traditional percussion instruments like dundun talking drums, bata drums, sekere and Agogo, bass guitar and rhythm guitar and trap drums, Wura Samba presents lyrics in Yoruba, English or a blend of the two as colloquially spoken in Nigerian cities. Assisted by 2 female backup vocalists, Wura Samba's music is a fusion of traditional African folk songs and modern use of classical and Yoruba traditional percussion instruments. Many of the songs dwell on social issues, while others simply entertain.
Having worked professionally in the Nigerian music industry for over 20 years, the multi-talented artist and percussionist, Abiodun Oke, professionally known as "Wura Samba" is no stranger to a wide range of events across Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Wura(meaning"Gold" in the Yoruba language of West Africa) has performed at major concerts, shows and festivals including the 60th Art Stampede in Lagos, the 2006 Encomium political Awards Night, City People Magazine Concert, MUSON Festival, World Music Day 2008 show at NTA Channel 5 Lagos, and the 2012-till date Felabration Music Festival.
Wura has played with various notable Nigerian artists including Zaaki AZZAY, Dede Mabiaku, Queen Ayo Balogun, Kayode Olajide and others. He featured in Tony Allen's album "Secret Agent" in 2009 and Nigerian-German sensation Nneka in her album titled Soul is Heavy released in 2012. Notable among his collaborations with foreign artists include a musical workshop with Jazz Ambassadors, an American jazz band from Memphis, and a performance with Majik Malik, a flautist and Espace libre, a quartet, both from France. He collaborated with German dancer, Petra Kron to participate in Laboratory De Chameleon, a dance, music and cultural exchange at the University of Ghana Legon in November 2012.
He performed with Ade Bantu at the COP17 Concert in South Africa in December 2011. He was on tour with Kayode Olajide across Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Ghana and Jordan. Wura went on a European tour alongside Keziah Jones and performed in France, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Tunisia in 2011 and Australia, Japan, and Brazil in 2013. He participated in the second Goethe Institute Ten Cities episode of musical collaboration, which took the renowned British DJS/producers Pinch and Rob Smith from Bristol to Lagos in January 2013, Wura Samba also participated in the 2014 Sauti za Busara Music Festival in Zanzibar, Tanzania under Goethe Institut's Moving Africa exchange programme. He also participated in a project sponsored by the British Council titled GidiJand in Nigeria and the UK in 2016, and went on a German tour with Bantu band in 2018. Then in 2019 he also participated in an electronic music soundclash with the Teichmann brothers in Belgium at the African is the Future festival sponsored by Goethe Institute.
The dexterity of this ensemble creates a rich and evolving repertoire, full of African beats that will intrigue the ears of many. Wura Samba band members are culturally West African but do an incredible job of connecting Western audiences with a modern, yet traditional African experience.
Wura Samba is synonymous with captivating African traditions through professional shows filled with music, African drumming and crowd participation. The band is a phenomenal and charismatic performance group that is a must-have for any type of celebration or event.
