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In other words, of a physique du rôle: because the British singer/songwriter (with Nigerian roots) Ola Onabule seems to be made to dominate an audience from the height of a stage. Impressive physical presence, tangible charisma, typically British elegance (Tony Q’Aja makes his clothes, the same designer who supplies other celebrities, Samuel L. Jackson and Morgan Freeman, as well as the British Olympic Team and the England rugby squad). More importantly, all this is dominated by a commanding, sensational voice of pure, concentrated African vocalism: from an intimate whisper to an earth-shaking explosion, ivory timbre, a vocal extension that easily reaches the most emotional extremes of both high and low notes.

His technique allows him to produce subtle intonation and rhythmic phrasing, not forgetting his emotional engagement in interpreting the lyrics: a veritable vocal theater. Despite an international career spanning twenty years during which he has sung with Diane Reeves, Al Jarreau, Roberta Flack, Joe Zawinul, Natalie Cole and Roy Hargrove, amongst others, he has rarely been heard in Italy until now. His first live performance was only in March of this year but we hope (both for him and ourselves) to have many more opportunities to listen to him in the future. Meanwhile, we await his seventh album, which he has already finished recording and is due to be released in the nest few months: Seven Shades Darker (Rugged Ram Records). Ola’s miraculous voice gets to grips with the expressive power of blues and soul, ultra-rhythmic funky and captivating ballads..