Keziah Jones
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| Keziah Jones | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Olufemi Sanyaolu |
| Born | January 10, 1968 |
| Origin | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genre(s) | Blufunk |
| Instrument(s) | guitar piano |
| Years active | 1992—present |
| Label(s) | Delabel Records Virgin Records Because Records |
Keziah Jones (born Olufemi Sanyaolu on January 10, 1968 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. He describes his musical style as “Blufunk”, which is a fusion between raw blues elements and hard, edgy funk rhythms. Also his African roots and soul music can be considered a major influence on his sound.
He is known for his distinctive style of guitarplaying, above all his percussive right-hand technique which is similar to bass player's slapping technique. He's also famous for playing most of his live shows with a bare torso.
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[edit] Biography
Son of a chief in a Yoruba tribe and successful industrialist, Keziah (Olufemi) spent his early childhood in a large family in the semi-Muslim part of Nigeria, close to the city of Lagos. From a young age he was being prepared to follow his father's footsteps and was expected to have an academic career. Therefore his father enrolled him in a Public School in London and Keziah left Nigeria 8 years old to be educated in England.
"I had to find a way out of all that bullshit, and music was it!" By the age of 13 he discovered the old school piano and taught himself how to play and write songs. Three years later he switched to the guitar, neglecting his studies more and more. After scraping through exams he went against his father's wishes and family tradition even more by skipping school and trying out his songs in the streets, clubs and London Underground, constantly avoiding the police, the Immigration Departement - and his own relatives.
Keziah led a bohemian life for several years instead of the one envisaged for him. "Lose all time, love your mind, free your soul!" (from his song Free Your Soul). Busking from London to Paris, accompanied by his guitar, he acquired an excellent reputation as a musician and performer with a unique style. It was when playing in small clubs and cafes in the London Covent Garden district and Portobello Road that he was discovered by his future manager Phil Picket. Picket got him touring all around the UK together with Phil "Soul" Sewell on bass and Richie Stevens on drums. Their energetic shows in 1990 caused a sensation and allowed them to record a first album.
[edit] Influences
Keziah often cites Fela Kuti and Jimi Hendrix as important influences
[edit] Art
Keziah Jones also paints and writes poetry. He’s a talented photographer and he produces short films, one among them entitled "BLACKSPEEDTEXT". This film, his music and the other facets of his artistic life reflect his experiences on the streets.
[edit] Discography
Studio Albums
- Blufunk Is A Fact - (March 23, 1992)
- African Space Craft - (March 27, 1995)
- Liquid Sunshine - (May 10, 1999)
- Black Orpheus - (April 22, 2003)
- Black Orpheus Limited Edition - (2004)
- Rhythm Is Love - Best Of - (November 2, 2004)
- Keziah is preparing his new album in L.A. with Karriem Riggins as a producer, to be released April 2008 and signed at Because Music.
[edit] Videography
Live At The Elysée Montmartre (June 14, 2004)
