User:Ezeadi onukwulu

EZEADI PATRICK ONUKWULU

As a performer, he has performed across Canada and parts of the USA in festivals, institutions, schools and colleges as well as opening for some of world music greats like Manu Dibango and Salif Keita. His charismatic presence, versatility and soothing voice have endeared him to audiences that have been exposed to him.

Ezeadi is an innovator, motivator and instigator in the African/World music scene. From being an inspiration for Sir Bob Geldof’s “Do they know it’s Christmas” and all that followed for Ethiopia, establishment of African music radio and festivals, having African music in other festival mixes to just empowering others to be better, he has been there. He has produced hundreds of events for charity and to keep African world music in the mix in Canada. From creating African music program at CJSF at SFU, his alma mater, Afrobeatworld on 96.1FM Vancouver and hosting the African Show on CiTR 101.9 FM; his contribution to world music and world music radio’s evolution is legendary.

Born Ezeadi Patrick Chukwumeram Onukwulu in a strong Christian home in the Igbo heartland of South –Eastern Nigeria, he grew up playing the pennywhistle and snare (side – drum) in his village elementary school without any lessons to the amazement of parents, teachers and peers becoming an integral part of the school marching band. Coming to Canada to further his education, he became a citizen in 1980. Ezeadi’s music, based on traditional Igbo roots rhythms, evokes the spirit of highlife and afrobeat with a splash of funk, jazz, blues and reggae. The lyrics are prayers and appeals to universal consciousness and our conscience to make the world a better place for all.

His unique mastery of the pennywhistle, other instruments and vocal styling will take you to beautiful new places. “African spirituals with a contemporary dance twist”, he says. “You may see or hear a djembe drum but don’t expect it to sound like the Fula, Mandingo or Wolof traditions”.

Current cd release is IZIZI a ten song sizzler that will introduce you to a new world in music and dance

“Dig in joyfully; with a dance, you might be inspired to do something to make the world a better place and that, is a great thing”.

'''Ezeadi Patrick Onukwulu can be reached at: afrobeatworld@yahoo.ca, www.tinyurl.com/57mjo9, www.youtube.com/ezeadionukwuluandohr'''

Performance List Summary

Vancouver International Jazz Festival … nine times Victoria Jazz Festival … five times Royal Theatre, Victoria … two times Afrikadey Festival, Calgary … three times Saskatoon Jazz Festival … once Festival by the Sea, St John, New Brunswick, Victoria Latin Caribbean fest, British Columbia coast islands, and, hundreds of clubs and schools all over the country. The Croatian Cultural Center, Vancouver: November 08 2005 The Media Club Vancouver: February 20, March 13 and April 17, 2006 Camel fest; Camel Productions Complex, Burnaby: February, 2006 Backstage Lounge, Granville Island Vancouver June 14, 2006 Islamic Cultural Expo: Vancouver Art Gallery (outside venue) August 19, 2006 Opening for Salif Keita: The Orpheum Theatre Vancouver: August 11, 2006 Nigeria Day 2006: Canadian Legion Hall #83, Burnaby B.C., October 07, 2006 Igbo Dev. Assoc. of B.C.: Queensborough Comm. Ctr. New Westminster, Nov. 25, 2006 The Croatian Cultural Centre, March 17, 2007 … cd release event CCODP 40TH Anniversary Event, Vancouver May 26, 2007 COCA Showcase at the ANZA Club: June 14, 2007 The WISE Hall, June 23, 2007 The Serbian Hall, June 23, 2007 Nigeria Day 2007, Serbian Hall Oct. 6, 2007 Celebrating Midwifery; MABC, Heritage Hall Vancouver, November 02, 2007 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 28, 2008 African Peace Festival ... July 05, 2008 Ness Creek Music Festival. July 18-20, 2008

This is African Canadian world music from the Igbo cultural vibe. At times bluesy and spiritual and other times jazzy with a funky edge this music, as Tom Harrison of the Province newspaper wrote, uses gentle African rhythms and bubbling vocals to deliver peaceful idealism emphatically. It is new kind of African roots based world music cooked and ready to be served to the world from British Columbia.

Discography

IZIZI (First) ... released 2007