Program

4:30 pm Doors open, 

Show 5 PM - 6:30 PM

Our Performers

Ayo Bankole Jr.

Akindele Bankole

Our Performers

Ayo Bankole Jr.

Ayo Bankole Jr., presently residing in Nigeria, was born in England the 1 st of April,

1962 into a family of musicians. Showing a natural talent for the piano from an

early age, Ayo was encouraged and tutored by his father, and performed

frequently in churches and concerts around Lagos. At age ten, he had his debut

television performance. Ayo was orphaned at age 14 in 1976. Later he went on

to study music at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the University of Lagos,

majoring in Piano, Organ and Composition. Ayo directed the compositions and

Production of the Music for the ALL Africa Games held in Nigeria in 2003 and was

director of music for the 2007 edition of West African Idols. He has also

composed and produced award-winning radio and television jingles, signature

tunes and film scores. Presently, Ayo Bankole Jr. directs the affairs of

Minstrelcraft, a modern audio, music, communications and production facility.

Ayo Bankole Jr. performed at Culture Collusion Concert 2009 in Santa Cruz.

Akindele Bankole

Akindele Bankole, a Nigerian American, was born in Berlin Germany the 18 th of

April 1962 and was introduced to Music theory under the teaching of his uncle

Ayo Bankole Snr. in the early 1970s in Lagos. Akindele studied Music formally at

Sacramento State University in California, under Professor Luis Clayson (Dramatic

Tenor). As a Tenor himself, Banile began formal signing with the Sacramento

State University Opera Workshop where he had his debut in the lead role of

Smiley” in the Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, a story by Mark Twain. Bankole

later joined Sacramento City Opera and thereafter, Opera San Jose. As a

composer, Bankole writes his vocal lyrics in several languages, including Yoruba

(his native language). He has written serval arts songs; piano, vocal, choral, and

orchestral works, and is currently working on an Opera Lola’s Wedding. Akindele

Bankole performed at Culture Collusion concert in 2009 in Santa Cruz.

Composer -Ayo Bankole 

Ayo Bankole Senior (1935-1976) blessed memory, was born in Nigeria and

received his earliest musical education Lagos. Before going to abroad to study in

1957, he was already active as an organist in Lagos churches. Bankole studied

music at the Guildhall School of Music London, at Cambridge University, and also

at the university of California, Los Angeles. While at Cambridge, he was an organ

scholar at Clare College. He held an M.A. Cantab and was a fellow of Royal

College of Organists. Upon his return to Nigeria, Ayo Bankole was appointed a

Senior Program Assistant (Music) in the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. He

later became Senior Lecturer in Music at the University of Lagos. A prolific

composer, Ayo Bankole produced numerous works for a variety of media, in many

of which are reflected elements of his indigenous musical culture. His major

works include Christmas Oratorio, Requiem, and an Opera Nigh of Miracles.