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Oleku Band
A seven
member band based in or near Dublin with members originally from Nigeria, West
Africa. The band members all multi talented individuals each being able to play two or more instruments.
Oleku Band
are also available as part of the
FeileAfrica African Roadshow
as well as the African Cabaret.
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Profile of Members:
Allen-Taylor Adeniyi (Allen) Band Director
- Sax & Vocals
 Allen
hails from western part or Nigeria, he started playing keyboard in the
church in 1994
where he used to perform with the choir. His love for instruments and
understanding for good music saw him pick up other instruments like drums,
guitars, percussion, and saxophone. Allen has been living in Ireland since
2000 and has been involved in many festivals and choir events in Dublin. He
is also the choir director for his church in Naas (Fountain of Love). See
picture on right of Fountain of Love choir performing at the
Irish African Community Gospel Choir Competition
in 2007.
Allen
has released two albums and is in the process of releasing his third. Allen
composes and arranges all his music
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Segun Akano - Keyboards & Vocals
 Segun Also
hails from Lagos, Nigeria. He is a talented multi-instrumentalist and his
major instrument being drums and percussion. Currently, he plays keyboard for
the band. Segun and Allen have been playing together since 2002. Segun is also
a songwriter and has worked on numerous Afrobeat projects since coming to
Ireland. He was the former drummer of Colours Afrobeat Orchestra.
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Otolorin Olalaleye - Trumpet
Oto is a
talented trumpeter, percussionist and a song writer. He has played for many
Nigerian bands including Femi Kuti, with whom he played with for almost ten
years. His ability to adapt to different styles of music makes him very unique
on his instrument. His great level of musicianship and experience is a great
asset the band.
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Toye Fakunle - Drums
Toye plays the drum kit for
the band. He started his music career
in 1986 as a choir member and started to play the drums in 1987. Toye joined
the Emerald Band in 1990 and In 1994 he joined Voice of Heaven Music choir and
became Choir director of Livelystones in 2003 before joining Oleku band in
2007
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Tomi Agbenla - Vocals, Percussion & Shakers
Tomi is
the only female vocalist in the band; she also plays percussion while singing.
Tomi also
hails from Western Nigeria, has been in Ireland since 2000 and has performed
with many artists
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 Michael Akano - Bass Guitar
Michael
Akano plays bass Guitar in the band. He started playing drums and percussion
at the young age of 12. A talented musician, who has been involved in
numerous African bands especially those playing afrobeat and hi-life rhythms.
His love for music helped him in deciding to become a bass player. He was a
former member of the first afrobeat band in Ireland “Colours Afrobeat
orchestra”. He is also the younger brother
of Segun Akano.
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