Ugonna Okegwo
| Ugonna Okegwo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
March 15, 1962 London, England |
| Origin | Muenster, Germany |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Bass |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Associated acts | Tom Harrell, Mingus Big Band |
| Website |
ugonnaokegwo |
Ugonna Okegwo (born March 15, 1962) is a German-Nigerian jazz bassist and composer based in New York City.[1][2]
Biography
Born in London, Okegwo is the son of Christel Katharina Lulf and Madueke Benedict Okegwo. In 1963 the family moved to Muenster, 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.[5][6]
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.[7]
Discography
As leader
- Uoniverse (Satchmo Jazz, 2002)
As sideman
Credits adapted from AllMusic.[7] This list is incomplete.
- With Tom Harrell
- TRIP (HighNote, 2014)
- Colors of a Dream (HighNote, 2013)
- Number Five (HighNote, 2012)
- The Time of the Sun (HighNote, 2011)
- Roman Nights (HighNote, 2010)
- Prana Dance (HighNote, 2009)
- Light On (HighNote, 2007)
- The Art of Rhythm (RCA Victor, 1998)
- With LaVerne Butler
- Love Lost and Found Again (HighNote, 2012)
- With Jacky Terrasson
- A Paris... (Blue Note, 2001)
- Alive (Blue Note, 1998)
- Reach (Blue Note, 1996)
- Jacky Terrasson (Blue Note, 1994)
- Lover Man (Venus, 2002, Recorded 1993)
- With Jon Hendricks
- Boppin' at the Blue Note (Telarc, 1994)
- With Sam Newsome
- Global Unity (Palmetto, 2001)
- The Tender Side of Sammy Straighthor (SteepleChase, 2000)
- This Masquerade (SteepleChase, 2000)
- With Peter Zak
- The Decider (SteepleChase, 2009)
References
- 1 2 3 "Musician Profile – Ugonna Okegwo". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Can Ron Blake Retake Jazz's 21st Century Groove With Millennials?". Huffington Post. February 25, 2014. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians – Okegwo, Ugonna". jazz.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Ugonna Okegwo builds jazz from the ground up". NJ.com. November 19, 2009. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Trumpeter Tom Harrell's quintet hits hard from the outset". Chicago Tribune. November 30, 2012. Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Charles Mingus – Mingus Big Band". mingusmingusmingus.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
- 1 2 "Allmusic: Ugonna Okegwo - credits". Allmusic.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.