DK Ibomeka

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DK Ibomeka

Background information
Born	Unknown
Origin	Nigerian, Canadian
Genre(s)	Jazz, Soul, Blues
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	Unknown
Label(s)	Wychwood Park
Website	DKIbomeka.com

Born in London, Ontario, Canada, DK Ibomeka is the son of Nigerian immigrants to Canada. DK was on his way to becoming a doctor when he discovered his passion for singing. He has devoted his life to music ever since.

[edit] Music Career

In recent years, Canada has become an important incubator for the latest best selling jazz vocalists including Diana Krall, Holly Cole, Molly Johnson, Michael Buble, Sophie Millman – and the list continues to grow. The latest hot new vocal talent is DK Ibomeka (pronounced ee-bo-MECK-ah) and industry insiders are saying that DK possesses one of the best new jazz voices in years.

With a three-octave range, huge emotional depth and power, he is well-equipped to deliver a decidedly original spin on the classic jazz material he has chosen for his second album “I’m Your Man” scheduled for 2008 release.

On his new recording, DK is backed by some of Canada’s finest players (George Koller on bass, Davide DiRenzo on percussion, Michael Shand on keys and Kelley Jefferson on Sax) with a special guest appearance by Pee Wee Ellis (long-time band leader for Van Morrison and member of the legendary James Brown Horn Section - the JB’s). With the bulk of the sessions being recorded over four days, the album reflects the live performance energy of DK’s live shows.

The 2006 release of his Debut CD “Love Stories” launched DK on a two-year whirlwind of appearances that saw him touring Europe four times, debut in the UK at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and criss-cross his home country of Canada, with performances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, The Ottawa Jazz Festival, The Toronto jazz Festival and the Winnipeg Jazz Festival - and opening slots with such diverse acts as Holly Cole, the Colin James Little Big Band, The Temptations and Jacksoul.

In Europe DK toured with the legendary Pee Wee Ellis in his band and also toured as a featured vocalist with the Diva Jazz Orchestra. In Canada he performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo symphony orchestra .

DK Ibomeka’s “Love Stories” album presented a mix of jazz, a touch of blues and a distinct flavoring of soul – creating a romantic late-night sound that is DK’s own.

In Canada the album quickly rose to the Top Ten jazz radio charts when it was released in June 2006 by Wychwood Park Productions, through Distribution Fusion III.

In+Out Records launched the album to strong reviews in the UK and much of Europe in the fall of 2006 - with a release in France in 2007 - capped by a launch event at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris and a return to Paris to play at New Morning later in the year.

In Europe DK received enthusiastic press support and a “Playlist Pick” in the December 2006 issue of MOJO magazine for his performance of “Dedicated To You”: “The cream spills over on this version of a Billy Eckstein-Sarah Vaughn duet by a Canuck jazz/R+B singer with Nigerian roots”.

At six foot seven DK Ibomeka seizes the stage with his charismatic presence and a mesmerizing voice. With the strong audience response he has received on his many tours, It’s no surprise that performing live and touring are what DK loves most about his life as a musician - the opportunity to connect with an audience, to give and receive a special kind of energy. DK will follow up the release of “I’m Your Man” with ongoing touring through the year.^[1]