Ayub Ogada

Ayub Ogada embodies the creative possibilities that arise when traditional African roots intersect with Western influences, a duality that shaped his singular musical path from the start. As a member of Kenya’s Luo people in the western region, he encountered outside culture early when his parents, themselves musicians, brought him along at age six on their tour of the U.S. college circuit. After returning home with them, he completed his schooling first at a Catholic institution and later at an English boarding school. Upon finishing his studies he spent several years performing with the Kenyan ensemble African Heritage Band, whose sound combined local traditions with the rock and soul styles the musicians regularly heard on the radio. In 1986 he chose to seek opportunities abroad, traveling to the U.K. with only his nyatiti, a lyre-like stringed instrument, and supporting himself by playing on the streets. Nearly a year later he received an invitation to appear at Peter Gabriel’s WOMAD festival. In 1993 Gabriel brought him to Realworld Studios to record his debut album, En Mane Kuoyo (Just Sand). Ogada has continued to perform regularly on the WOMAD touring circuit ever since.