|  |  |  |  |  |  | | | | | | Bio of the Artist | Nigerian-born drummer and composer, Tosin Aribisala, has been actively involved in professional music for over 12 years. Tosin’s brainchild, the Afrikan Rhapsody band is a vehicle for exhibiting a cross-cultural musical spectrum by merging African musical idioms with jazz, gospel, neo-soul, and other contemporary music genres. Tosin writes in English and his native Nigerian language - Yoruba.
Besides leading his band, Tosin also performs drum solos which he dubs Drum Monologue. The Monologue is an expression of polyrhythmic, groovy, and poetic ideas on the drum set. And sometimes, he makes it a Drum Dialogue by featuring other percussion player(s).
Knowing that a tree does not make a forest, the individuals whose artistic ingenuities have influenced Tosin’s musical awareness include Haruna Ishola, Bob Marley, Maxwell, Majek Fashek, Sikiru Ayinde, Sade, Fela Kuti, Bobby McFerrin, Art Blakey, John Coltrane, and Bill Stewart.
To his credit, Tosin has performed and recorded with some world-renowned musicians, such as afrobeat exponent, Femi Kuti, music producer – Andres Levin – in the recording of “Red Hot Riot” CD – a tribute to the late legendary Nigerian musician and socio-political activist – Fela Kuti. The CD featured such notable artists as, Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, D’ Angelo, Sade, Baba Maal, and Taj Mahal. Tosin has also performed and recorded with Julie Dexter and Yerba Buena, and many others.
In 2008 and 2009, Tosin was nominated for the best world music instrumentalist for the Wammies Awards by WAMA – Washington Area Music Association. In early 2009, Tosin served as artist-in-residence at Strathmore Music Center, Rockville, Maryland. Currently, Tosin teaches and conducts drum workshops at Washington, DC, and Maryland public/private schools. Tosin is an endorsed artist of Vic Firth Drum Sticks Company.
To date, Tosin and his group have performed at the following venues:
The Kennedy Center, Strathmore Music Center – as artist-in-residence – the National Harbor, Blues Alley, Zanzibar, Busboys and Poets, Loyola College, Bohemian Caverns, the Annapolis Music Festival, Twins Jazz, and several local clubs.
To watch videos of Tosin’s band, please visit – www.youtube.com/tosinmusik | | |
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