Oluwaseun: Bridging the African music tradition with the Western instrument

Vanessa Obioha

Aspiring music researcher and performer Adeshina Oluwaseun Emmanuel, who recently performed at the annual black history month celebration by Google in October 2023, the experience and relationship gained has been instrumental to his quest in becoming an expert, according to Oluwaseun, performing alongside with other Artist such as Bumi David and Wretch has given him more insight into art performance. Oluwaseun opened the Show with the Talking drum from Nigeria, his style of infusing talking drum and other local instruments Jenbe, sekere, acuba,sakara, shaker and more with the western instrument such as violin, Viola, Cello, Double bass. It was a show and display of traditional instrument with the western instrument.

Talking Drum is known for creating rhythmic patterns prosody of human speeches and to create a proverbial words, sometimes for greetings, sending signals, in the old times, in the history of Nigeria, it is an instrument of war to accompany and hail warriors on the battle fields, to deliver a strict amd coded messages to the warriors and to pass messages across.

Oluwaseun has got his playing skills both by gene and skilfully his father, Aderemi who use to be a Juju talking drummer, therefore one can trace the music gene coming from the great Grandfather to the present Oluwaseun as a generational skill and talent, his incorporation of combining the Talking drum with the western instrument stands to a great idea, it is therefore seen that Talking drum can be played or be presented with classical instruments, this is a successful skill for Oluwaseun and to incorporates this local talking drum together with western instrument.

His first piece “Gangannpede” which means ‘’talking drum is speaking’’ is a piece that shows the dexterity of both the Talking drum and the western instrument such as Violin, Cello players playing simultaneously and imitating one another, Violin and cello is seen making conversation with the talking drum an later playing percussively, its amazing to see that this talking drum can play according to music score or be played along with western instruments, this is a great innovation to see the show of how talking drum could create a pattern, words and proverb with an imitating responses from violin, Viola & Cello, this showed how talking drum could also play in tune and how cello can also imitate rhythm and pattern created by talking drum.

In February 2023 Oluwaseun was seen at the Music Expository in London alongside playing double bass and as a backup singer with his African Ensemble, Jenifer obaze on Violin and Lead singer with the African chant, this includes lots percussion instrument such as, shaker, Jenbe, talking drum, allophone, saxophone, violin, viola and cello, all performing at the Music & drama Expository London, His live performance at the Exhibition was a showcase of African section at the music expository and this was proudly received by the audience at the expository, it`s was a great time seeing Oluwaseun leading this set to represent Africa on this global platform, this is not his first on such platform he has appeared with the DSO Symphony Orchestra at the Stellenbosch Music festival in south Africa where he played the bass, another of it was in Italy where he sang bass in the Muson School Choir to compete and win a Gold medal for Nigeria under Muson school of music at the world choir game in grado Italy in 2014.

Oluwaseun the Orchestra music Director at Love world church in Lagos 2012 – 2015, led the 150 orchestra players, conducted the rehearsals and presented the Orchestra at different functions, most of all in 2015 he presented the Orchestra with the 15,000 choir for the world Largest choir and Orchestra in 2015 which was indeed a significant and historic moment.

Furthermore, Oluwaseun has performed with various Nigerian indigenous orchestra works which includes Water no get enemy by Fela Kuti, Lau Erebe, Mojamosa by Gabriel Adedeji and Nostalgia by Fela Sowande, Ole olojukokoro & more, by Seun Owoje has a fabulous ear for his musical colleagues and a sensible feeling for any characters and phrasing in music. He produces a very warm Double bass sound, and an excellent section leader, not only because of his fine musicianship but also due to his well-balanced and friendly personality. It’s always a great pleasure to work with him as he regularly makes constructive contributions to any musical program. His open mind, brilliant intelligence and a great sense of humour are a very rare and valuable combination in this profession.

In addition, Oluwaseun has various international appearances:
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Malta 2015 where he performed with the Commonwealth Orchestra under the Commonwealth Resounds.

 Chineke Junior Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank in London 2018 & 2019.

Oluwaseun, a leader of the NOK Orchestra, performing the works of the popular Tunde Jegede and some African compositions such as Let the Element Sing and Dance, Invocation, Jairaby Ballard menion bar and more with the African compositions such as; Barka, Joromi and Ririovara. Also, Mami Wata which had its string music written by Tunde Jegede, an award winning movie, Oluwaseun played the double bass part for the music recording for the movie in London.
He also performed the music Breaking Screens composed by Gabriel Prokofiev, a composer of electronic and classical Music in 2022, at IKLECTIC, London.

He also performed with members of the HACS Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded an original composition by the students of ELSOM called “The Procession of a Triumphant Jubilee”, which was specifically composed in honour of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and a Coronation Concert for King Charles III at Hackney town Hall in London, 2023.

Adeshina has appeared on BBC Radio 1xtra in London where he performed the music, People with the composer Libianca at the BBC Radio 1xtra Show in London 2023
Dulcis Ensemble at the BBC Radio London in 2023.

More so, in Nigeria, Adeshina has performed with famous musicians and artists such as:

Nathaniel Bassey, Oluwaseun, Oluwabusuyi Daystar concerts, love world orchestra, Seun Owoaje, tuned Jegede, Omawunmi, Timi Dakolo, Asake amidst other.

He was part of the strings section who played on 20th August at Asake live in concert at the O2 arena in London
In conclusion Oluwaseun is embodiment of talent to the Art industry bringing new innovation to the viewers at every contacts, contrary to what is mostly seen, his performance has always been beyond imagination