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I first knew of Baba when I was about seven
years old. Baba and Drums of Passion came to perform for Homecoming
at Howard University. My father worked with the foreign students
at the University to bring Baba to D.C. It was an exciting
time! Thank you, Baba!
In the Oya African Dancers and Drummers, from
1968-1974, we used Baba's material, singing and flailing to
"Jin Go-Lo Ba!, and "Akiwowo!" The crowds loved us; what excitement!
Thank you, Baba!
I met Baba, himself, just a few years later,
coming to New York City from Ohio's Oberlin College, to spend
my January Winter Term Project at the Center for African Culture
at 125th and 5th Avenue. That month, sitting with Baba, listening
to Baba, meeting his peers, doing programs with his then-five
piece ensemble (including myself) set the stage for much of
my life to come. What an exciting time! Thank you, Baba!
Then, fifteen years later, moved from New
York back to D.C.I humbly called upon Baba to write the introduction
to my book, "The Drummer's Path", to which he so graciously
complied. I was so excited! Once again, Thank you, Baba!
We corresponded over the years, as I gathered
information on a biography on Baba. Wonderful, Modupe!
The last time I saw Baba was two years ago,
in upstate New York. I'd come to perform for my teacher, my
mentor, my thirty-year example. I slipped into the school
gymnasium kinda quiet (in my kente print ensemble!), and stood
on the side to enjoy the drum circling and the networking
and the good times. It was exciting!
Soon, Baba sat down and called for a circle.
Of course, everyone complied. What? I heard my name! Eh? "Sule!
Sule; come here!" I had to go sit at my Baba's side he spoke
as an old man would, wisely, softly, surely. Sometimes he
held my hand as spoke to the people gathered that day of the
power of drum, of community, of peace. All too soon, that
moment was ended. Soon came the moment to perform for Baba.
I thought of the years he had been in my life, and ways I
knew of the lives he had touched: Howard University in the
60's, Harlem in the Seventies, performing with and learning
from his peers and students in the Eighties, working on the
book in the Nineties. I thought of all my teachers who were
not there that day. I spoke for them, and for me, for us all.
When we went on stage, to make our "show", our homage, it
was time to testify:
"WeÕre hereÑin this place, in this time--to
honor Babatunde Michael Olatunji. Born in Nigeria, he came
to the United States, to the Heart of Dixie, during the Days
of Segregation. And though from a foreign land, he, too, has
felt what itÕs like to be Black in America. If Babatunde Michael
Olatunji had not come to Morehouse College in 1954, our lives,
and the lives of millions of others, would have been so, so
different. If Babatunde Michael Olatunji had not grown tired
of people asking if Africans really lived in trees, we would
not have had his musicÑand hand drums--in our lives. If Babatunde
Michael Olatunji had not allowed himself to become an International
Ambassador of Culture from the land of HumankindÕs birth,
we would not have drums in our lives. If Babatunde Michael
Olatunji had not written, and recorded "Jin GoLo Ba", where
would "World Music" be today? If Babatunde Michael Olatunji
had not come to Fifth Avenue in New York CityÕs Harlem, and
founded an institution that brought beautiful, talented, Spirited
people--Baba Ifakorede, Baba Taiwo, Iya Akwasida, Iya Afida,
Bobo, Papa Ladji, Noelle! Baba Ishangi, Akanni, Guy Warren,
John Coltrane, Yusef Lateef, Bobby Crowder Baba Olukose and
many, many others together, The Funk! Would not have come
forth. The Spirit of the DrumÉmight not have come. And as
we all know, WE NEED THE FUNK! Oh, Yeah; uh, huh! WE NEED
THE DRUM! Say it with me: "WE NEED THE FUNK! WE NEED THE DRUM!"
One more time: "WE NEED THE FUNK! WE NEED THE DRUM!" Else
we wouldnÕt---none of us would have been here. Can I get an
"Amen"? Alright! Now, to get us started, weÕve got to be righteous
and thank the Ancestors for opening the Path for BabatundeÑ"The
Father Has Returned!"--to come to earth and walk, and in whose
footsteps all gathered here in body and in Spirit now stand!
Let us commenceÉ.."
The Sule Greg Wilson Ensemble
How exciting it has been! Modupe! Modupe!
Modupe! Ashe-oh! Ashe-oh!
Thank you, thank you, Baba.
Contact
Sule Greg Wilson for more information.
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