More tributes have come the way of the late sage and cultural icon, Pa Jimi Solanke, who passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024.
A Tribute Night was held in his honur at the home of live music, Bogobiri tucked inside the heart of Ikoyi area of Lagos.
Recording artiste, pianist and Afrobeat musician, Duro Ikujenyo and friends along with the Age of Aquarius Band were at Bogobiri to pay tributes to the man who had given his best years to the development of theatre, arts and music, and always seen inspiring the younger generation of musicians and artists via his performing poetry, folklore and often narrating stories ‘Alo’ laced with culture and life lessons for the pleasure and listening ears of pre-teens.
At the ‘Open Mic’ held at Bogobiri which was the first live performance at the remodeled iconic space which had hosted Orlando Julius, Latoya Aduke and other key musicians from the 90s.
Duro Ikujenyo, one of Fela Kuti band boys who had trained Femi and Seun Kuti in piano lessons, has thirteen unreleased tracks of Jimi Solanke, produced in 2004/2005 but almost joined the grave of unreleased songs and aborted ideas in the creative world.
The 13 songs crashed in the hard drive but we got an almost completely copy produced for Jasshole.so Jimi went and recorded the same tracks and released it by himself.
Latoya Aduke who had performed in the same space with the late father of performing poetry-laced tunes, Solanke last December at the EnioBanke Festival hosted by the creatively talented Segun Akinlolu popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, penned her words on Solanke.
He is a great all around artist and his influence and imprint is felt in music, theater, dance. Pa Solanke is also arty , jovial, loves his culture. He supported young’ artists, respected all in the c space and he was such a zestful beautiful soul.
Uncle Jim Solanke loved his work and he obviously loved the life his work afforded him. He was a family man, a cool guy. He will be missed by all. His Legacy will continue through the young Generation whose life he touched through his works. He was happy to see that I am working on his friend’s (Orlando Julius )Legacy with OJAHH. He told me that he respected me more when he saw what I was doing and encouraged me to continue. You know him and Orlando worked together not just in Nigeria but in America.
Uncle Jimi is a legend. He can do no wrong with a mic and music. So many people were saying that they loved him since childhood and to be able to witness him live with their children is a blessing.
Popularly known as Baba Agba, Pa Solanke was born on July 4, 1942, in Ipara Remo, Ogun State and has had an illustrious career on the stage and television. He will be missed greatly by the entertainment cum arts industry.
