Funsho Ogundipe(born April 8 1968) is a Nigerian pianist, Music director and composer. He is also a writer and film maker. Ogundipe is primarily known for his work with the Afrobeat band Ayetoro . He has also written music for theatre in Ghana.
Biography
Ogundipe was born in lagos. He has an unsual background in that he studied law at both the University of ife and the Nigerian law school and then become a stockbroker before eventually heading up the corporate finance department at Prudent Bank a Nigerian Bank which his father S Olagunju Ogundipe a Nigerian economist and Writer founded. But he gave all that up for the love of music. His father then chairman of Prudent Bank, at first objected to this career move, but when none other than Lágbájá sent him a complimentary ticket to watch his son play at the famous Motherland venue in Lagos , he changed his mind. Ogundipe would later serve a Non executive Director in the same bank for four years after his fathers death.
Ogundipe currently maintains homes in London and Accra in addition to Lagos.
Musical Style Ogundipe's music is based on Afrobeat with a jazz core. As bandleader of Ayetoro he works within the Jazz and Afrobeat fields and is respected for both his original Piano style and his compostions which range from straight ahead afrobeat to the avant garde.
According to writer Chris May writing for all about jazz, Ogundipe's Afrobeat has been cooked in a slow burning oven and has a wide and enchanting range of tonal colours.[1]
In an interview with Rita Ray of the Shrine soundsystem for the BBC's Africa on your street website.[2]
Ogundipe cites Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Fela Kuti as his major influences as a composer.
Robert Fox of the afrofunk forum and also bass player for the American Afrobeat inspired band Chopteeth rates Ogundipe's composition Revenge of the Flying Monkeys as one of the most important post Fela Kuti compositions.