Olu Dara
Encyclopedia
Olu Dara Jones is an American
cornetist, guitarist
and singer.
musician, playing alongside avant-garde
musicians such as David Murray
, Henry Threadgill
, Charles Brackeen, and Art Blakey
.
His first album under his own name, 1998's In the World: From Natchez to New York
, revealed another aspect of his musical personality: the leader and singer of a band immersed in African-American tradition, playing an eclectic mix of blues
, jazz, and storytelling
, with tinges of funk
, African popular music and reggae
. His second album Neighborhoods, with guest appearances by Dr John and Cassandra Wilson
, followed in a similar vein.
Rapper Nas
(Nasir Jones) is Dara's son. He encouraged his father to record the music he was playing with his band, and guested on "Jungle Jay" from In the World. Dara played the cornet
on the track "Life's A Bitch" from Nas's debut album Illmatic
in 1994 and on the song "Dance" from God's Son
, a posthumous tribute to Anne Jones his former wife and Nas's mother . In 2004, his vocals and trumpet were featured on Nas's single "Bridging the Gap
", and the title track from his album Street's Disciple
. The song "Poppa Was A Player" off The Lost Tapes
was inspired by Nas' childhood times around Olu Dara.
He was given the name "Olu Dara," which literally translated means "God is good," by a Yoruba
priest when he returned to America. Dara has traveled throughout Africa and Europe.
Dara is also an accomplished playwright and actor, staging Blues Rooms to strong acclaim in New York City
and Fairfax, Virginia
during the 1990s.
With Dirty Dozen Brass Band
With Julius Hemphill
With Brother Jack McDuff
With David Murray
With James Newton
With Don Pullen
With Henry Threadgill
With James Blood Ulmer
With Various Artists
With Cassandra Wilson
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cornetist, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and singer.
History
Olu Dara first became known as a jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician, playing alongside avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
musicians such as David Murray
David Murray (jazz musician)
David Murray is an American jazz musician. Murray plays mainly tenor saxophone and sometimes bass clarinet. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970s.-Biography:...
, Henry Threadgill
Henry Threadgill
Henry Threadgill is an American composer, saxophonist and flautist. Threadgill came to prominence in the 1970s leading ensembles with unusual instrumentation and often incorporating a range of non-jazz genres....
, Charles Brackeen, and Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
.
His first album under his own name, 1998's In the World: From Natchez to New York
In the World: From Natchez to New York
In the World: From Natchez to New York is the solo debut album by jazz cornetist Olu Dara. The album is Dara's debut at singing and playing guitar...
, revealed another aspect of his musical personality: the leader and singer of a band immersed in African-American tradition, playing an eclectic mix of blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, jazz, and storytelling
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, with tinges of funk
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, African popular music and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
. His second album Neighborhoods, with guest appearances by Dr John and Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson is an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed with an unmistakable timbre and attack [who has] expanded the playing field" by incorporating country, blues and folk music into her...
, followed in a similar vein.
Rapper Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
(Nasir Jones) is Dara's son. He encouraged his father to record the music he was playing with his band, and guested on "Jungle Jay" from In the World. Dara played the cornet
Cornet
The cornet is a brass instrument very similar to the trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. It is not related to the renaissance and early baroque cornett or cornetto.-History:The cornet was...
on the track "Life's A Bitch" from Nas's debut album Illmatic
Illmatic
Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
in 1994 and on the song "Dance" from God's Son
God's Son
God's Son is the sixth studio album by American rapper Nas, released December 13, 2002 on Columbia-imprint Ill Will Records. Production for the album took place during 2001 to 2002 and was handled by several hip hop producers, including Salaam Remi, Chucky Thompson, Ron Browz, and The Alchemist...
, a posthumous tribute to Anne Jones his former wife and Nas's mother . In 2004, his vocals and trumpet were featured on Nas's single "Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap (song)
"Bridging the Gap", the second single from Nas' Street's Disciple, features his father, Olu Dara, and samples music from Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" composition. Olu Dara provides the hook of the song by talking about his path and how Nas was born. Nas and Olu Dara performed the song many times...
", and the title track from his album Street's Disciple
Street's Disciple
Street's Disciple is the seventh studio album by American rapper Nas, released November 30, 2004 on Columbia Records in the United States. It is a double album entitled after one of his rhymes from "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source, which was the song marking his musical debut...
. The song "Poppa Was A Player" off The Lost Tapes
The Lost Tapes
The Lost Tapes is a compilation album by American rapper Nas, released September 23, 2002, on Ill Will Records and Columbia Records. It follows his artistic comeback in 2001, which led to his record label's release of the album...
was inspired by Nas' childhood times around Olu Dara.
He was given the name "Olu Dara," which literally translated means "God is good," by a Yoruba
Yoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
priest when he returned to America. Dara has traveled throughout Africa and Europe.
Dara is also an accomplished playwright and actor, staging Blues Rooms to strong acclaim in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
during the 1990s.
As leader
- In the World: From Natchez to New YorkIn the World: From Natchez to New YorkIn the World: From Natchez to New York is the solo debut album by jazz cornetist Olu Dara. The album is Dara's debut at singing and playing guitar...
(1998) - Neighborhoods (2001)
As sideman
With The Be Good TanyasThe Be Good Tanyas
The Be Good Tanyas are a Canadian traditional music group, whose influences included folk, country, and bluegrass. The style of music they performed can be referred to as alt-country or Americana.-Career:...
- ChinatownChinatown (The Be Good Tanyas album)-Track listing:#"It's Not Happening" – 2:41#"Waiting Around to Die" – 5:13#"Junkie Song" – 3:47#"Ship Out On the Sea" – 4:13#"Dogsong 2" – 5:08#"Rowdy Blues" – 3:32#"Reuben" – 4:23#"The House of the Rising Sun" – 3:49...
(2003) : Cornet on "Horses" and "Junkie Song"
With Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Dirty Dozen Brass Band
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band is a New Orleans, Louisiana, brass band. The ensemble was established in 1977 by Benny Jones together with members of the Tornado Brass Band...
- Medicated Magic (2002) : vocal on "Junko Partner"
With Julius Hemphill
Julius Hemphill
Julius Arthur Hemphill was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone; less often soprano and tenor saxophones and flute.-Biography:...
- Flat-Out Jump SuiteFlat-Out Jump SuiteFlat-Out Jump Suite is an album by jazz saxophonist Julius Hemphill recorded in 1980 for the Italian Black Saint label.-Reception:The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested Core Collection....
(Black Saint, 1980)
With Brother Jack McDuff
Jack McDuff
"Brother" Jack McDuff was an American jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who was most prominent during the hard bop and soul jazz era of the 1960s, often performing with an organ trio.-Career:...
- Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring?Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring?Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring? is an album by American organist Brother Jack McDuff recorded in 1970 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
- (1970) Blue Note
With David Murray
David Murray (jazz musician)
David Murray is an American jazz musician. Murray plays mainly tenor saxophone and sometimes bass clarinet. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970s.-Biography:...
- Flowers for Albert: The Complete ConcertFlowers for Albert: The Complete ConcertFlowers for Albert is the second album by David Murray. It was originally released on the India Navigation label in 1976 and re-released in 1996 with three additional tracks...
(1976) - MingMing (album)Ming is the third album by David Murray to be released on the Italian Black Saint label and the first to feature his Octet. It was released in 1980 and features performances by Murray, Henry Threadgill, Olu Dara, Lawrence "Butch" Morris, George Lewis, Anthony Davis, Wilbur Morris and Steve...
(1980) - HomeHome (David Murray album)Home is the fourth album by David Murray to be released on the Italian Black Saint label and the second to feature his Octet. It was released in 1982 and features performances by Murray, Henry Threadgill, Olu Dara, Lawrence "Butch" Morris, George Lewis, Anthony Davis, Wilbur Morris and Steve...
(1981) - Live at Sweet Basil Volume 1Live at Sweet Basil Volume 1Live at Sweet Basil Volume 1 is the seventh album by David Murray to be released on the Italian Black Saint label and the first to feature his Big Band...
(1984) - Live at Sweet Basil Volume 2Live at Sweet Basil Volume 2Live at Sweet Basil Volume 2 is the ninth album by David Murray to be released on the Italian Black Saint label and the second to feature his Big Band...
(1984)
With James Newton
James Newton
James W. Newton is an American jazz flautist, composer, and conductor.-Biography:From his earliest years, James Newton grew up immersed in the sounds of African American music, including urban blues, rhythm and blues, and gospel. In his early teens he played electric bass guitar, alto saxophone,...
- The African Flower (1985)
With Don Pullen
Don Pullen
Don Pullen was an American jazz pianist and organist. Pullen developed a strikingly individual style throughout his career. He composed masterworks ranging from blues to bebop and modern jazz...
- The Sixth SenseThe Sixth Sense (Don Pullen album)The Sixth Sense is an album by American jazz pianist Don Pullen recorded in 1985 for the Italian Black Saint label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Cook awarded the album 4 stars stating "Reflecting Pullen's own quality piano work, all the soloists make impressive contributions throughout...
(Black Saint, 1985)
With Henry Threadgill
Henry Threadgill
Henry Threadgill is an American composer, saxophonist and flautist. Threadgill came to prominence in the 1970s leading ensembles with unusual instrumentation and often incorporating a range of non-jazz genres....
- When Was That?When Was That?When Was That? is an album by Henry Threadgill released on the About Time label in 1982. The album and features five of Threadgill's compositions performed by Threadgill with Craig Harris, Olu Dara, Fred Hopkins, Brian Smith, Pheeroan akLaff and John Betsch.The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek states...
(1982) - Just the Facts and Pass the BucketJust the Facts and Pass the BucketJust the Facts and Pass the Bucket is an album by Henry Threadgill released on the About Time label in 1983. The album and features six of Threadgill's compositions performed by Threadgill with Craig Harris, Olu Dara, Fred Hopkins, Diedre Murray, Pheeroan akLaff and John Betsch.The Allmusic review...
(1983)
With James Blood Ulmer
- Are You Glad to Be in America?Are You Glad to Be in America?Are You Glad to Be in America? is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer recorded in 1980 and originally released on the Rough Trade label in the UK in 1980 and the Artists House label in the US in 1981....
(1980) - Free LancingFree LancingFree Lancing is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer recorded in 1981 and released on the Columbia label. It was Ulmer's first of three albums recorded for a major label.-Reception:...
(1981) - No Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady SessionsNo Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady SessionsNo Escape from the Blues: The Electric Lady Sessions is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer recorded in and released on the Hyena label in 2003...
(2003)
With Various Artists
- Kansas CityKansas City (1996 film)Kansas City is a 1996 film, directed by Robert Altman, and featuring numerous jazz tracks. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte, and Steve Buscemi starred. The film was entered into the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:...
Soundtrack (1995) - Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats DominoGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats DominoGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino is a 2007 tribute album by various artists to Fats Domino, issued by Vanguard Records.-History:In contrast to an earlier tribute album, That's Fats: A Tribute to Fats Domino , which mostly contained previously released cover versions, Goin' Home: A Tribute to...
(2007) Performing Domino's "When I See You", with the Natchezippi Band and Donald Harrison, Jr.
With Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson
Cassandra Wilson is an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed with an unmistakable timbre and attack [who has] expanded the playing field" by incorporating country, blues and folk music into her...
- Days AweighDays AweighDays Aweigh is the second studio album by American jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. It was released on the Winter & Winter label in 1987.-Track listing:# "Electromagnolia" – 4:45...
(1987) - Belly of the SunBelly of the SunBelly of the Sun is an album by American jazz singer Cassandra Wilson. It was released on the Blue Note label in 2002.The title of the CD comes from a line in "Only a Dream in Rio" that Wilson had translated to Yoruba ".....
(2002) : cornet on "Road So Clear"
Featured compositions
- Cassandra WilsonCassandra WilsonCassandra Wilson is an American jazz musician, vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Jackson, Mississippi. Described by critic Gary Giddins as "a singer blessed with an unmistakable timbre and attack [who has] expanded the playing field" by incorporating country, blues and folk music into her...
- Days Aweigh (1987) : "Electromagnolia" (also with vocals and arrangement by Dara) - Henry ThreadgillHenry ThreadgillHenry Threadgill is an American composer, saxophonist and flautist. Threadgill came to prominence in the 1970s leading ensembles with unusual instrumentation and often incorporating a range of non-jazz genres....
Sextett - Easily Slip Into Another WorldEasily Slip Into Another WorldEasily Slip Into Another World is an album by Henry Threadgill released on the RCA Novus label in 1987. The album and features five of Threadgill's compositions and one by Olu Dara performed by Threadgill with Frank Lacy, Rasul Siddik, Fred Hopkins, Diedre Murray, Pheeroan akLaff and Reggie...
(1987): "I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" - Bob Stewart - Goin' Home (1989): "Bell And Ponce"
Songs With Nas
- "Bridging The Gap" (Street's DiscipleStreet's DiscipleStreet's Disciple is the seventh studio album by American rapper Nas, released November 30, 2004 on Columbia Records in the United States. It is a double album entitled after one of his rhymes from "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source, which was the song marking his musical debut...
) - "Jungle Jay" (In the World: From Natchez to New YorkIn the World: From Natchez to New YorkIn the World: From Natchez to New York is the solo debut album by jazz cornetist Olu Dara. The album is Dara's debut at singing and playing guitar...
) - "Life's A Bitch" (IllmaticIllmaticIllmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
) - "Street's Disciple" (Street's DiscipleStreet's DiscipleStreet's Disciple is the seventh studio album by American rapper Nas, released November 30, 2004 on Columbia Records in the United States. It is a double album entitled after one of his rhymes from "Live at the Barbeque" by Main Source, which was the song marking his musical debut...
) - "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (IllmaticIllmaticIllmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
) - "Dance" (God's SonGod's SonGod's Son is the sixth studio album by American rapper Nas, released December 13, 2002 on Columbia-imprint Ill Will Records. Production for the album took place during 2001 to 2002 and was handled by several hip hop producers, including Salaam Remi, Chucky Thompson, Ron Browz, and The Alchemist...
)