Ola Onabulé
Outstanding Jazz & Soul Singer
. . . Guest Vocalist for Orchestras & Big Bands
British Nigerian singer/songwriter, Ola Onabulé, is one of the finest vocalists and contemporary artists of our times. Ola has gained worldwide critical acclaim as a powerful performer, songwriter and producer.
Onabulé’s meticulous attention to detail in his arrangements and production as well as the support from Sennheiser/Neumann have contributed to the manifestation of an impressive catalogue of recordings. So embodies the artistic – and entrepreneurial – philosophy of Onabulé, Ola is a rugged individualist, a deeply soulful musician who has absorbed the surround sound of his youth – jazz, world, soul and pop – incorporating key elements into his distinctive style. Over a dozen albums to his name with another two new releases in the year ahead Ola continues to create original work and develop new collaborations internationally.
Ola’s three-and-a-half octave baritone voice and the powerful emotions he conveys with his instrument, elegant stage appearance have led to worldwide opportunities with performances around the world in concert halls and international festivals that routinely invite him to perform – Montreal, Vancouver, Washington San Sebastian, Washington, Istanbul, San Sebastian, Umbria, and London among them and concert halls worldwide.
Ola’s lyrics often address social and political issues, such as the fight against oppression and injustice. Ola has received acclaim from critics and fans alike for his ability to combine a powerful message with beautiful and moving music.
Guest Vocalist for Big Bands and Orchestras
In the past decade and half, Onabulé’s career has taken an interesting turn. Collaborations with some of the world’s foremost Grammy winning Big Bands iincluding (The WDR Big Band) Cologne, (The SWR Big Band) Stuttgart, (The HR Big Band) Frankfurt, (Danish Radio Big Band) Denmark Big Band Jazz De Mexico (Mexico), Zurich Jazz Orchestra (Switzerland), UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra (Finland), Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (Finland), Oulu All Star Big Band Finland, The Sicilian Jazz Orchestra (Sicily), Gotland Big Band Sweden, Bohuslan Big Band (Sweden), Latvian Radio Big Band (Latvia), DIOC Big Band (Norway). New Wind Jazz Orchestra (Estonia) with many symphony orchestras such as (Latvia) Orquesta Liepāja Symphony (Latvia), (Mexico) The Symphonic Orchestra of San Luis Potosi (Mexico), Västerås Sinfonietta (Sweden), Orchestra della Magna Grecia (Italy), The Babelsberg Film Orchestra Potsdam, (Germany).
Onabulé has new projects coming in the next year with new ensembles including Bundeswehr Big Band (Germany), (Portugal) Algarve Jazz Orchestra, Transylvanian State Philharmonic Orchestra (Romania), Wuerttembergische Philharmonic (Germany), Orchestra Jazz Della Sardegna (Italy) amongst others which demonstrates Ola’s ability to adapt and collaborate with different artists around the world.class musicians. Ola’s original compositions have been arranged by some of the world’s most artistic big band and symphonic arrangers including Ed Partyka,, Magnus Lindgren, Michael Abene, Dennis Mackrel amongst others.
Ola has also guested with many great jazz artists including Diane Reeves, Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Hiram Bullock, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker, Gladys Knight, Roberta Flack, Patti Labelle and Diana Krall.
