Jimi Solanke celebrated his 80th birthday with week-long events
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By Babatunde Tugbobo
July 9, 2022
It was an eventful week of celebration for veteran folk singer and comedian, Jimi Solanke, as he celebrated his 80th birthday. He was born on July 4, 1942.
The series of events kicked off July 1 with a virtual lecture on the life and times of Solanke. This was followed by the launch of his biography titled "Jimi Solanke: The Indestructible", which was written by Oluwatoyin Sutton.
Shortly after the book was launched, a short film titled "Jimmy Show" premiered. The film which also documents the life of the veteran was written and produced by Ayo Adewunmi. Speaking about the film, Adewunmi said, “This is my personal tribute to Jimi Solanke; say "thank you" for everything he taught me. I was his apprentice and he taught me the basics of directing. He's a father and a friend, and he can get along with anyone.
On Saturday July 2, a choral music festival titled "A Festival of Praise" was held at the Methodist Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Ikeja, Lagos. At the same event, Solanke's latest album titled "Oba Awon Oba" was unveiled.
The event continued the next day with a conference on highlife music held virtually, as well as an on-site premiere of a documentary about Solanke in his hometown of Ipara Remo, in Ogun State.
On Monday, July 4, the birthday boy welcomed his family and associates to Ipara, where he inaugurated and dedicated the Ibùdó-Àsà (Center for the Promotion of Creative Arts and show).
The Lagos Jazz Society also hosted a physical and virtual conference on Solanke's jazz roots. On July 6, a reading of a play by Solanke, entitled "Etiti, All Eyes On You", took place at the National Theater in Lagos, followed by a mentoring session with the Bariga Arts Collective on the theme "Baba Agba , The Story Merchant, which was hosted by the African Crown Troupe.
The celebration continued on Thursday, July 7 with another mentorship event at the Department of Theater and Music at Lagos State University.
To wrap up the celebration, a music and art tribute concert, featuring a variety of artists and bands, was held on Friday, July 8, 2022.
The concert was preceded by a "Living Icons Live Drawing" session.
Please share this story:
By Babatunde Tugbobo
July 9, 2022
It was an eventful week of celebration for veteran folk singer and comedian, Jimi Solanke, as he celebrated his 80th birthday. He was born on July 4, 1942.
The series of events kicked off July 1 with a virtual lecture on the life and times of Solanke. This was followed by the launch of his biography titled "Jimi Solanke: The Indestructible", which was written by Oluwatoyin Sutton.
Shortly after the book was launched, a short film titled "Jimmy Show" premiered. The film which also documents the life of the veteran was written and produced by Ayo Adewunmi. Speaking about the film, Adewunmi said, “This is my personal tribute to Jimi Solanke; say "thank you" for everything he taught me. I was his apprentice and he taught me the basics of directing. He's a father and a friend, and he can get along with anyone.
On Saturday July 2, a choral music festival titled "A Festival of Praise" was held at the Methodist Cathedral of Peace and Excellence, Ikeja, Lagos. At the same event, Solanke's latest album titled "Oba Awon Oba" was unveiled.
The event continued the next day with a conference on highlife music held virtually, as well as an on-site premiere of a documentary about Solanke in his hometown of Ipara Remo, in Ogun State.
On Monday, July 4, the birthday boy welcomed his family and associates to Ipara, where he inaugurated and dedicated the Ibùdó-Àsà (Center for the Promotion of Creative Arts and show).
The Lagos Jazz Society also hosted a physical and virtual conference on Solanke's jazz roots. On July 6, a reading of a play by Solanke, entitled "Etiti, All Eyes On You", took place at the National Theater in Lagos, followed by a mentoring session with the Bariga Arts Collective on the theme "Baba Agba , The Story Merchant, which was hosted by the African Crown Troupe.
The celebration continued on Thursday, July 7 with another mentorship event at the Department of Theater and Music at Lagos State University.
To wrap up the celebration, a music and art tribute concert, featuring a variety of artists and bands, was held on Friday, July 8, 2022.
The concert was preceded by a "Living Icons Live Drawing" session.
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