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Ola Onabule

POINT LESS

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I Knew Your Father - Teaser
classicfm97.3/Nocturnal Classics with Lawrence
Live from the WRTI 90.1 Performance Studio
Writing The Album
Tender Heart - Point Less
The Old Story
Ola Onabule interview with WPPM: Philadelphia - MAGZ FM
Ballad of the Star Crossed
Siena Jazz Interview with Francesco Martinelli
The Neumann KMS Stage Microphones
'Spain' with the SWR Big Band - Mittelrhein Musik Festival
Interview with David Llewelyn
Writing The Album
Influences
The Power Of Song
Album Trailer
Patience Endures - Live Series 5
1 Throwaway
2 The Old Story
3 Pointless
4 And Yet
5 Exit Wound
6 What The Heck
7 Ballad Of The Star Crossed
8 I Knew Your Father
9 Suru Lere
10 Tender Heart
11 Conceive
12 So They Say
13 Pas Familie
14 You Can't Depend
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Socially conscious singer/songwriter Ola Onabulé has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has now turned his attention to the North American market with a newly recorded collection of original songs. Onabulé's meticulous attention to detail in his arrangements and production as well as the support from Sennheiser/Neumann have contributed to the manifestation of an impressive recording.  

Point Less, is a follow up to Onabulé's last album, It's The Peace That Deafens, with the new album boldly expressing his views on social injustice, reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. It is an activist's call - at once a celebration of life and a cautionary take on the social forces that threaten it. Violence, immigration, xenophobia, betrayal, and dignity are themes considered on Point Less, rendered with a powerful and knowing generosity of spirit. Onabulé is rueful yet optimistic.

So embodies the artistic - and entrepreneurial - philosophy of Onabulé, whose latest release, Point Less, is a giant leap forward in Onabulé's artistic canon. Moreover, it affirms his place among contemporary vocalists. He is a rugged individualist, a deeply soulful musician who has absorbed the surround sound of his youth - jazz,  world - and incorporated key elements into his distinctive style. He is direct and passionate, confident in his ability to sell a song with conviction.

This should surprise no one. Onabulé's performance history is vast. A host of winning projects with small groups and the big bands of Cologne (WDR), Stuttgart (SWR), Frankfurt (HRBB), Denmark (DRBB) and other prestigious aggregates animate his resume, as do the concert halls and international festivals that routinely invite him to perform - Montreal, Vancouver, San Sebastian, Istanbul, Umbria, and London, among them.

Onabulé's reach is global and he is emerging as a musician's musician, possessing a range and aptitude thatplace him on that shortlist of special artist andentertainer. His three-and-a-half octave baritone, the powerful emotions he conveys with it, and his elegant appearance connect with audiences around the world. Whether in person or on record, Onabulé gives his all, which includes a thoughtful interpretation of his experiences and the world aroundhim. 

"Hands-on, self-sufficiency has always been my mantra for survival in the music game," says songwriter and producer, Ola Onabulé. "I always felt like the creative parts of song writing, producing and recordingwere merely different stages of a single process."

Point Less is a cunning play on words that captures current and artful observations sure to resonate with fans, old and new. 

  • Guildhall Jazz Orchestra and Choir feat. Ola Onabule is ...'A night of soulful storytelling and raw talent' / A Young(ish) Perspective
    Posted At: December 2, 2024
    “A night of soulful storytelling and raw talent, where experience and youthful energy shared the same stage.”A Young(ish) Perspective's Antonia Constantin writes….There is something seriously infectious about the energy of the young musicians at Guildhall. You can’t help but get swept up in their talent and the pure joy they bring to performing—it’s like it radiates off the stage. That was definitely the vi...

  • 8th instalment of the Ola Onabule 'Live Series' celebrates International Jazz Day
    Posted At: April 26, 2021

    A charismatic and sophisticated artist and entertainer. Ola Onabulé's compelling performances possess an emotional intensity and vocal virtuosity that is second to none. Audiences cherish this powerful storyteller and his capacity to cross cultural and musical boundaries with an unflinching pursuit of truth and justice. Ola Onabulé epitomizes a move towards hearty, sustaining music, mad...

  • Ola Onabule presents 'Ballad Of The Star Crossed' for NPR: Live Sessions: WRTI@HOME
    Posted At: April 20, 2021

    WRTI's Maureen Malloy writes....Ola Onabule presents "Ballad Of The Star Crossed" for WRTI's @HOME video series. @HOME is a new initiative that is opening the door to video content from the global artists community. Producers; J. Michael Harrison, Tyler McClure Audio Mastering: Paul Marchesani, Graphics: Matthew Johnston, Stanley Weaver  WATCH / LISTEN TO THE PERFORMANCE...

  • Ola Onabule uses Sennheiser and Neumann microphones to deliver top-quality livestreams from home
    Posted At: February 1, 2021

    A recording studio veteran and ardent user of Sennheiser and Neumann microphones, British-Nigerian singer/songwriter; Ola Onabulé has been streaming regular live music performances from his home studio close to London for the past few months. With a career in music recording of over two decades, and having performed at some of world's most prestigious jazz festivals and concert halls, Onabul&eacut...

  • BBC4 presents 'Soul Noel' featuring Ola Onabule
    Posted At: December 21, 2020

    A Christmas concert with a difference, as carols, Christmas anthems and the odd pop classic are performed with a gospel and soul twist. Warm yourself on a winter's night with gospel, soul, reggae, ska and soca versions of classics such as Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Jingle Bells, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and many more. Filmed at the Porchester Hall in west London, it feature...

  • Point Less is a very strong and very characteristic album for Ola Onabule / Jazz Quad
    Posted At: September 30, 2020

    Point Less is a great excuse to first meet. It is both a very strong and very characteristic album for Ola Onabule. The wonderful strong baritone of a large range combined with excellent vocal technique and stylistic variety of music makes this meeting a memorable one. In her songs, Ola combines elements of funk, soul music, Latin music of Caribbean and Brazilian origins with effortless ease - for him th...

  • Home game No. 5 - SWR Big Band and Ola Onabule
    Posted At: August 30, 2020

    Under the direction of Magnus Lindgren, the SWR Big Band plays not only the big Jarreau hits like "Mornin '" or "Boogie down", but also songs from his more jazzy repertoire like "Spain" or "Mas que nada". The British jazz and soul singer Ola Onabulé is a guest at the popular living room concert series by the SWR Big Band. The recordings were made in October 2018 at the home game No. 5 in the P...

  • WRTI - npr: live sessions 'video of the week' features; Ola Onabule
    Posted At: March 3, 2020

    British-Nigerian, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and music producer Ola Onabulé has been on the music scene for more than 20 years. Ola and his ensemble have consolidated a reputation with audiences globally while performing at music festivals or with big bands and symphonic orchestras. Recently, his soulful voice and elegant stance delighted a WRTI Live Session audience with a trio...

  • Now and then a collaboration comes along that grabs your attention - Ola Onabule and The Hazelrigg Brothers / Jazz In Europe
    Posted At: January 17, 2020

    Now and then a collaboration comes along that grabs your attention and earlier this week this is exactly what happened when the new EP from vocalist Ola Onabule and The Hazelrigg Brothers hit our mailbox. Ola Onabule is, of course, no stranger to Jazz In Europe readers however The Hazelrigg Brothers maybe a little less known and we expect that this release will somewhat change that perspective. For t...

  • Ola Onabule's 'POINT LESS' is remarkable in the contrast between it's seriousness of the lyrics against the positive instrumental sound / Badische Zeitung
    Posted At: January 8, 2020

    The Power of dignity. An album that may also contain memories to Marvin Gaye's classic "What's Going On" might awaken. Natürlich, of course. sound sound and production by the British Nigerian songwriter and singer Ola Onabulé to Here and today. But what social sensitivity in conjunction with a winning, emotionally charged voice there are parallels. On his current album "Point Less" ta...

  • Ola Onabule featured on Oregon's 97.9: Bandon Radio - Global Artist Spotlight
    Posted At: January 2, 2020

    Point Less from Ola Onabule boldly expresses views on social injustice, reminiscent of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. It is an activist's call – at once a celebration of life and a cautionary take on the social forces that threaten it. Violence, immigration, xenophobia, betrayal, and dignity are themes considered on Point Less, rendered with a powerful and knowing generosity of spirit. Onabule is r...

  • Ola Onabule's 'POINT LESS' makes Jazz In Europe 'most popular new releases of the year'
    Posted At: December 20, 2019

    p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} With 2019 quickly coming to a close Nigel and I thought it appropriate to take a look back at some of the great release's we've featured in our new release program over the year and pick our top releases for the year. That decided, the next question was how do we choose, all of the albums that we have featured over t...

  • Ola Onabule's 'POINT LESS' makes All About Jazz: Mark Sullivan - Best Releases Of 2019
    Posted At: December 17, 2019

    Mark Sullivan - Another year, another diverse group of releases. There were an unusual percentage of albums outside of jazz for me this year, for whatever reason. Although I opted not to review any albums by pianist/composer Satoko Fujii, she released five diverse projects-even after her 2018 marathon of an album a month to celebrate her 60th birthday-so I would like to acknowledge her remarkable product...

  • The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule: Ballad Of The Star Crossed
    Posted At: December 11, 2019

    A bold and powerful nation with imperial ambitions must confront the fact that absolute power may not always equate to certain victory. It must come to terms with the possibility that in this world, other forms of strength and resilience exist. Sublime and transcendental forces, unseen by the naked eye, but infinitely more effective at motivating hearts and minds than brutish strength and bombast. Li...

  • As year end looms, Ola Onabule releases the reflective and simple 'Tender Heart' / SoulandJazzandFunk
    Posted At: December 10, 2019

    OLA ONABULE'S recent 'Point Less' album was acclaimed right across the board and as year end loom into view he's released a key cut as a single... it's the reflective and simple 'Tender Heart'. Understated, the song's message chimes with the sentiments of the current season... "a tribute to people who dare to stand alone and be the first to declare an uncomfortable truth"....

  • DownBeat Magazine​?s 100 best album of 2019 list!!! including my new album ?Point Less?
    Posted At: December 10, 2019

    Ola Onabule has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has now turned his attention to the North American market with a newly recorded collection of original songs. Onabule's meticulous attention to detail in his arrangements and production as well as the support from Sennheiser/Neumann have contributed to the manifestation of an impressive recording. Onabule's rec...

  • Ola Onabule breaks down 'POINT LESS' on MAGGY'S ROOFTOP AERIAL
    Posted At: December 6, 2019

    Socially conscious singer/songwriter Ola Onabule has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has now turned his attention to the North American market with a newly recorded collection of original songs. Onabule''s meticulous attention to detail in his arrangements and production as well as the support from Sennheiser/Neumann have contributed to the manifestation of an i...

  • Ola Onabule chats with KUCI: Irvine CA
    Posted At: December 4, 2019

    Socially conscious singer/songwriter Ola Onabule has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has recently released a newly recorded collection of original songs. Onabule's meticulous attention to detail in his arrangements and production as well as the support from Sennheiser/Neumann have contributed to the manifestation of an impressive recording.' Point Less, is a...

  • The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule: What The Heck
    Posted At: December 3, 2019

    A bold and powerful nation with imperial ambitions must confront the fact that absolute power may not always equate to certain victory. It must come to terms with the possibility that in this world, other forms of strength and resilience exist. Sublime and transcendental forces, unseen by the naked eye, but infinitely more effective at motivating hearts and minds than brutish strength and bombast. Li...

  • The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule: Exit Wound
    Posted At: November 18, 2019

    After a tragic loss, a parent is inundated with words of condolences and must ponder the real value and meaning of these words. Are they meant in all sincerity or are they just platitudes? Are these words spoken merely to salve the conscience of the well-wisher. In situations where the tragedy is avoidable, Can the energy expended in composing theses elaborately worded but useless phrases be put into pre...

  • Ola Onabule chats with The Paul Leslie Hour
    Posted At: November 13, 2019

    Our artist guest Ola Onabulé is a British-Nigerian singer-songwriter, performing & recording artist. In his two decade long career, Onabulé has performed around the globe. His music has gained inspiration from jazz, soul, pop and world styles. His new studio record is entitled "Point Less," and is a heavy album, worthy of your listening attention. It was a pleasure meeting Ola Onabul&ea...

  • Watch Ola Onabule 'vets-day' live spot from WRTI performance studio
    Posted At: November 7, 2019

    Acclaimed British-Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, and music producer Ola Onabul'e makes a special stop in Philadelphia to share selections from his new album, Point Less. He and his band visit with host J. Michael Harrison in the WRTI Performance Studio for an exclusive live video presentation on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11th at 4 PM. Ola's songs about love, loss and ...

  • Emotional black soul is the main thing Ola Onabule's 'POINT LESS' / Jazz Podium
    Posted At: October 31, 2019

    A new voice in the soul jazz genre somewhere between Al Jarreau, Marvin Gaye, George Benson and Youssouf N'Dour is always welcome, especially if the songs - like here - are produced with great care and have power and independence beyond a feel good mood.  London-born British Nigerian singer/songwriter Ola Onabule gig in Lagos Zur Schule, returned to London to study and made a name for himself in...

  • The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule: And Yet
    Posted At: October 30, 2019

    'And Yet' is a song that begs the question: If we are fundamentally all the same, why is it so easy to dehumanize marginalized people? It takes an askance look at all the counter-intuitive scenarios that a member of such a group may find themselves in. It explores how such scenarios can rapidly descend into unexpected and sometimes dire consequences. Anything from clothing to speech, standard of ...

  • Ola Onabule is up for SoulTracks: Choice Awards 'Male Vocalist of the Year'
    Posted At: October 25, 2019

    Okay, this is one election we can all agree on. The time is coming again for the 2019 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, the biggest awards in the world dedicated to independent soul music. We've gathered all the suggestions from readers and our industry friends and have chosen a fantastic group of finalists -- superb artists who represent all that is great about Soul Music in 2019.  To ...

  • Ola Onabule reports on 'Siena Jazz Workshops' for Jazz In Europe
    Posted At: October 24, 2019

    In the summer of 2019 Jazz In Europe sent Ola Onabule to Italy to report on the Siena Jazz Workshops and to interview a selection of the visiting teaches, resident teachers and staff to find out more about the work of this unique institution. Episode 1 features a full interview with Siena Jazz staff member, author and historian Francesco Martinelli.  Onabule's, 'POINT LESS' is a...

  • Resisting hatred and injustice, Ola Onabule's 'POINT LESS' spurs contemplation / 'DOWNBEAT'
    Posted At: October 22, 2019

    Socially conscious singer/songwriter Ola Onabulé has built an enviable career as an international touring performer and has now turned his attention to the North American market with a newly recorded collection of original songs. Onabulé's meticulous attention to detail in his arrangements and production as well as the support from Sennheiser/Neumann have contributed to the manifestatio...

  • Ola Onabule presents: 'POINT LESS' podcast
    Posted At: October 21, 2019

    'Point Less' is the title track of the album and for good reason. It is on the face of it, an exploration of the pointlessness of violence, but it aims to delve a little deeper and asks why in the modern era there seems to be a tendency to point the finger of blame at the victims of violence. The song addresses how peoples who are afflicted by subjugation to a violent culture, ironically have a t...

  • Ola Onabule capturing the spirit of POINT LESS / SENNHEISER
    Posted At: October 18, 2019

    British-Nigerian singer/songwriter Ola Onabulé's latest studio album Point Less has 14 original tracks that tell tales of violence, immigration, xenophobia, betrayal, and dignity too. The album is at once a celebration of life and also a warning of the social forces that threaten it. Onabulé's short US tour kicked off with the album launch, before taking the jazz artist to the Exit Zero Jaz...

  • The POINT LESS podcast with Ola Onabule: The Old Story
    Posted At: October 15, 2019

    This song is written from the point of view of a man who has just extinguished life of another. He has the authority to do so as a licensed officer of the law, nonetheless the extent of his powers do not sit easy with him. He asks philosophical questions of the society that gives him the power of life and death over his fellow human beings and he ponders the historical context that allows him to wield sa...

  • POINT LESS - Ola Onabule's voice always serves the song and the story / jazzwise
    Posted At: October 15, 2019

    Ola Onabulé's new album POINT LESS is a giant leap forward and deeply soulful. Onabulé's reach is global. Rueful yet optimistic, his three-and-a-half octave baritone and the powerful emotions he conveys with it connects with audiences around the world. "Hands-on, self-sufficiency has always been my mantra for survival in the music game," says the songwriter. POINT LESS boldly expres...

  • 'POINT LESS' songs are powerful both musically and lyrically, and Ola Onabule's voice is a consistent joy to hear / CD Hot List
    Posted At: October 4, 2019

    We'll call this one "jazz," though singer-songwriter Ola Onabulé has long bestrode multiple genre categories. His background includes extensive gigging with small combos and big bands around Europe, and although it's clear that jazz remains foundational to his art, on Point Less he is putting jazz tropes to use in promoting a vision that is at least as much social and political as musical. With hi...

  • Ola Onabule will be heard, enjoyed and noted! / Mendocino Public Radio
    Posted At: October 4, 2019

    POINT LESS, is the new album by Ola Onabule. it's work that boldly expresses views on social injustice. An activist's call - at once a celebration of life and a cautionary take on the social forces that threaten it. Violence, immigration, xenophobia, betrayal, and dignity are themes considered and rendered with a powerful and knowing generosity of spirit.So embodies the artistic - and entrepreneu...

  • Ola Onabule's 'The Old Story' makes 'Station Breaks: The Best New Songs From NPR Music Stations'
    Posted At: October 3, 2019

    Every month on Station Breaks, NPR Music stations handpick a diverse list of new songs by not-so-big bands. In this edition for October 3, 2019, check out British-Nigerian vocalist Ola Onabulé, Gothic country-rock by Roselit Bone and more. Songs from this month will be available to stream on the NPR Slingshot Spotify playlist at the bottom of the page. In "The Old Story," British-Nigerian voca...

  • POINT LESS is an album for thinking people / Blitz Magazine
    Posted At: September 27, 2019

    "I'm gonna stand on my own two feet". So sang beloved composer, vocalist and Stepney, East London native Kenny Lynch in his monster classic 1964 H.M.V. label single of the same name. Lynch's release was a landmark prototype among a series of like minded singles to follow, including the Impressions' We're Rolling On and Les McCann and Eddie Harris' Compared To What, among others. ...

  • Ola Onabule brings a mix of pop with dignity on rich collection of originals / Jazz Weekly
    Posted At: September 26, 2019

    British-Nigerian singer songwriter Ola Onabule' brings a mix of pop with dignity on this rich collection of originals. Most of the band centers around Jack Pollit/b, PhilMulford/b, Femi Temowo/g, Pete Adams-John Crawford/p and Will Fry/perc  along with some guests, while the themes include some jazzy drumming and bass on "What The Heck," soulful keyboards on the assuring "Ballad Of The Star Crossed"...
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