Ugonna Okegwo | |
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![]() Okegwo in 2010 | |
Background information | |
Born | London, England | March 15, 1962
Origin | Münster, Germany |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
Instrument | Bass |
Years active | 1986–present |
Website | ugonnaokegwo |
Ugonna Okegwo (born March 15, 1962) is a German-Nigerian jazz bassist and composer based in New York City. [1] [2]
Born in London, Okegwo is the son of Christel Katharina Lulf and Madueke Benedict Okegwo. In 1963 the family moved to Münster, Germany, where Okegwo grew up. [3] [4] As a youngster he enjoyed working with his hands and played the electric bass. At age 21, he took a class in violin-making and started playing the upright bass. [4]
In 1986 Okegwo moved to Berlin and studied with bassist Jay Oliver and pianist Walter Norris. He then joined trombonist Lou Blackburn's group for a tour in Europe and played with Joe Newman, Oliver Jackson and Major Holley. [1]
In 1989 Okegwo moved to New York City and worked with saxophonists Big Nick Nicholas, Junior Cook and James Spaulding. He worked with vocalist Jon Hendricks on a regular basis. He earned a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Long Island University, graduating summa cum laude in 1994. In the early 1990s Okegwo formed a trio with pianist Jacky Terrasson and drummer Leon Parker. [1] [3] In 1997 he started to perform regularly in Tom Harrell ensembles. [4] He is a member of the Tom Harrell Quintet and the Mingus Big Band, and he is an associate instructor of music at Columbia University. [5] [6] [7]
In 2002, Okegwo released his first album as a leader titled Uoniverse . About creating music Okegwo said, producing a note is human and personal and "in a rhythm section, the bass is the center, creating something constantly." [4]
Okegwo has worked with a wide range of artists, including Kenny Barron, Michael Brecker, Benny Carter, Johnny Griffin, Wynton Marsalis, James Moody, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, [3] Steve Wilson, Michael Wolff, [4] Bruce Barth, Steve Davis, Dario Chiazzolino, Lionel Hampton, Sam Newsome, Kurt Rosenwinkel and others. [8]
Credits partly adapted from AllMusic. [8] This list is incomplete.