Wednesday 5 February 2025
2 – 5pm
Milton Court Concert Hall
Percussion Masterclass with
Solá Akingbolá
Photo © Stanislav Grapatin
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Silk Street
Eating is not permitted in the auditorium. Drinks are allowed inside the auditorium in polycarbonates.
Filming or recording of the performance is not permitted.
Latecomers will be able to enter the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Founded in 1880 by the City of London Corporation
Chair of the Board of Governors
The Hon. Emily Benn
Principal
Professor Jonathan Vaughan
Vice-Principal & Director of Music
Armin Zanner
Solá Akingbolá
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Entering the jazz scene in the early 90s with the Ronny Jordan band and then finding his feet for the last decade in the Grammy award winning band Jamiroquai, Solá Akingbolá has toured the world and played innumerable major international venues. But no matter which route he takes as a musician he always returns to the same place – the tradition and culture that brings him home – Yoruba rhythm, language and poetry.
Solá has received two BMI awards for ‘Best Film and TV Score’ for his original music on the TV show, Bob Hearts Abishola, which ran for 5 seasons on CBS (2019–2024). Other composition credits include Othello (The National Theatre), The Mugabe Project (Fuel Theatre) and Hamlet (Royal Shakespeare Company).
Solá released his first independent album, Nigerian Beats in 2013. His latest album, How Should I, with Solá Akingbolá and The Eegun Rhapsodies was released in September 2024. “This album is a bridge between my Nigerian heritage and my British upbringing” says Akingbola, “It’s a celebration of cultural fusion and the power of music to transcend boundaries.”
Find out more at www.solaakingbola.com
Photo © Atina Feola
Forthcoming Events
Guildhall Improvisers' Workshop
12 February 2025
Milton Court Concert Hall
The ‘Improvisers’ Workshop’ is a Guildhall School group focusing on creative jazz improvisation, approaching the jazz ensemble as a malleable vehicle for contemporary composition. They will be joined by one of the leading exponents of a generation of tap dancers, Annette Walker.
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra & Choir: Emboldened
14 February 2025
Milton Court Concert Hall
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra and Choir welcome guitarist and composer Steve Banks to perform his debut album, Emboldened, re-voiced for jazz orchestra and choir from the original quintet by Jonathan Silk.
27 March 2025
Silk Street Music Hall
Join Guildhall instrumentalists for an exhilarating celebration of percussion music.
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