Afrobeat musician, pianist, and producer Duro Ikujenyo has reflected on his experience working with the late Fela Kuti and the professionalism and excellence it exposed him to.
Duro was a pianist with Fela and Egypt 80 Band, and he spent four years with Fela, from 1979 to 1983. But it was like he never left the legendary late musician.
The music producer and band leader of the Age of Aquarius, who will be 70 in September, reflected on some of his encounters and life lessons.
”Meeting and working with Fela the Abami Eda himself was a privilege. I have been a lover of music since I was a child. I studied music theory from grades 1 to 8 and sat for an examination conducted by the Royal Schools of Music, London, before joining Fela Anikulapo Kuti and the Egypt 80 band as the rhythm pianist,” says Ikujenyo.
Duro, who noted that he is still doing music, has just completed an album of 12 tracks and is involved in other projects this year. He said that being a consummate musician takes a lot of skill and requires a great knowledge of music and a readiness to learn.
”My experience with Fela and the Egypt 80 Band is responsible for my still being in music and relevant. When I was with Fela, I performed regularly at the African Shrine from 1979 to 1983. I travelled across several Nigerian cities, namely Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Jos, Kano, Calabar, Benin, in 1979 playing rhythm piano during the Fela/ Roy Ayers concert tour.
In 1980, I travelled across Italian cities, namely Milan, Napoli, Rome, etc with Fela’ s Egypt 80 band and toured certain European cities that included Paris, Brussels, Vienna and others. Being with the band exposed me to professionalism and versatility in different genres of music. I contributed to 10 hit albums produced by Fela Anikulapo Kuti, namely Original Sufferhead, Coffin for Head of State, Power Show, Unknown Soldier, Original Sufferhead, Parambulator and others.
Duro has worked with other artistes and produced for musicians like the late Fatai Rolling Dollars.
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