Ola Onabule has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals and concert halls. On October 1 he grooved through some of his delightful jazz, soul and funk numbers at the Royal Albert Hall. Onabule was the support artist for the Canadian singer Diana Krall (see Digital Journal’s review here.)
Although Ola Onabule’s set was short, playing for some 20 minutes and only having time five or six numbers, he instantly got the audience swinging in the aisles. Backed by a tight four piece band, including keyboard and bass, Onabule grooved and moved as he filled the arena with a joyous sound. His infectious music is deeply rooted in soul, blues and jazz.
Ola’s voice and vocal range is difficult to define. Often it twists and turns at every step, alternating as the music takes a new and unexpected direction. This gives a thrilling edge to his performance.
The stand-out track was a song called Invincible, which conveys as rapturous feel-good lyric and rhythm. Each of the songs was put into context through a short introduction. This was a nice touch and allowed the audience to appreciate the origin of the song and what it meant to the singer. Several of the songs reflected Ola’s time in Nigeria. He was born in the U.K., but lived in Nigeria for ten years between the ages of 7 and 17. These songs reflected the beauty of the country, and its green lusciousness, but also the darker side of its internal troubles and inability of the some of the population to realize peace. The global perspective and ones place in the world are central to many of the songs, alternating with the importance subjects of love and hope
For those unfamiliar with Ola’s style of music, this video for one of the eponymous song from his recently released ninth album It’s The Peace That Deafens gives a good representation:
Ola Onabule is a superb singer, with wonderful timing, and an impressive vocal range. He is worth catching. Digital Journal rates his performance 5 out of 5.
