Ade Bashorun & The Lagos Highlife Explosive
Ade Bashorun: Making Nigerian music in Bohemian Soho
by Val Wilmer, The Guardian 30 November 2002
The Nigerian percussionist Ade Bashorun, who has died aged 86, was a member of one of the most influential African musical groups to perform in Britain. He also belonged to the Soho bohemia of the 1950s, the African side of which was memorialised in Colin McInness novel City Of Spades.
Born into a middle-class Muslim family, he attended school in Lagos, then worked as a clerk in the local Barclays Bank. His musical interest was inspired by listening to an uncle play the drums for the samba ashiko a dance connected with the Brazilian emancipados of Lagos and the Keta people of eastern Ghana and he became known as a musician on joining Ayinde Bakare, the most prominent guitarist of his generation.
Determined to travel, Bashorun worked his way up the west coast of Africa as a seaman. He spent nine months in Gambia with an elderly relative, a judge, and loaded groundnuts on riverboats, before joining a British-bound ship in Dakar. Arriving in Liverpool in 1946, he took one look at that war-torn city and moved to Cardiff, where he lodged in Bute Street with the family of Shirley Bassey. He worked as a stoker at a Caerphilly brick factory, but moved again after learning that a community of his Lagosian contemporaries was developing in Manchester. In Moss Side, he married his first wife, Doreen, and, with other Nigerians, formed a band to play highlife in local hostelries.
Bashorun arrived in London in 1949. Other hometown associates had preceded him, including the musicians Ambrose Campbell and Brewster Hughes. By the time Bashorun joined his group at the Abalabi, off Berwick Street, Campbell, a charmer, had established himself as a London musical figure. While Hughes played guitar and Campbell sang, Bashorun played bongos by night and taught Campbell guitar by day.
There was a democratic air to this new music and, at the dimly-lit Soho cellar where the West African Rhythm Brothers entertained, politicians, students, intellectuals and journalists came to savour the Nigerian atmosphere. Jazz figures were frequent visitors, their own work inspired by the interaction between drummers and guitars and the units musical integrity.
As Campbells band became known to the jazz world, through concert appearances, the musicians were already ubiquitous Soho figures. With his second wife, Claire, Bashorun built up a strong network of friendships with people who drank at the Mandrake and York Minster public houses, and ran jazz record shops and small record labels.
The Brothers started recording for Melodisc, with trumpet and saxophone sometimes added, creating a new musical style. Their records caused a sensation in Nigeria and, in 1957, they were invited to play at the pre-independence celebrations, but Campbell became ill and Bashorun took over as leader, playing guitar. By 1969, Bashorun wanted a change. He moved to Lagos to manage a night club, but returned after three years.
Bashorun prided himself on his professionalism. He was disparaging about those who came to music later in life, although he diplomatically hid such differences on taking the stage. He continued to freelance as a musician and photographic model he played the pearly king for the Museum of Londons 1993 exhibition, Peopling of London and, with redoubtable colleagues, such as the South African Louis Moholo, Liverpudlian Tommy Jones and the Ghanaian Lord Eric Sugumu, participated in ventures uniting veteran percussionists with younger pIayers.
Democratic and generous, Bashorun was much-loved. Visitors to his Camden Town flat could always be sure of a plate of yam or foo-foo and a piece of roasted fish although they might equally anticipate their patience being tried by their hosts unflagging capacity for debate.
He remained cheerfully in denial about his age, and was determined to remain musically active. He taught guitar to youngsters and, as a listener, regularly joined old friends for lunchtime sessions at Londons 100 Club. He also retained west African contacts. Modern Lagos he found too oppressive, but in Gambia, where he travelled frequently with percussionist Norris Johnson, he enjoyed himself, and attracted a new female following.
He is survived by Stephen and Kenneth, the two sons of his first marriage, the pianist Joe Bashorun, the only child of his second marriage, and three stepdaughters.
• Anjorin Anjos Adetola Bashorun, musician, born August 1 1916; died October 26 2002
Track Listing:
1) Omo Ode
2) Jamba Odase
3) Yao Jonao
4) Timoba Laiya Tokomi Yosida
5) Edumare Koyo Adu Lasisi
6) Ejeka Sadura
7) Talking Drum Intro
8) Aiye To To Mojuba
9) Maringa Telegan Loku
10) Kamadagba
11) Gin Gin Gin
12) Yaaponsa
13) Oni Mogbin Koko
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Emperor Dele Ojo & His Star Brothers Band - Jekoyewa (Audio)by planetolusola4,650 views
Great music. I love African - so many varied styles all over the continent. And then you can hear the influence in American / English Blues. Hey man, where can I get one of those suits? Those are fantastic!
clarkewi 9 months ago
Hello, there
My Dad was the bands leader, he played the guitar. Brewster Hughes. Sadly he passed away over 20 years ago and dear Ambrose passed 2 years ago. He lived to a ripe old age. Would be nice to link up???
ruthibijokehughes 1 year ago
That's my dad singing and groovin' on the drums!!! Rest in peace dad, I'm sure you are still doin' your thing in the universe. Love you, Joe xxx
themd88 1 year ago