UW Ethnomusicology Archives concert recording: I.K. Dairo and His Blue Spots, 1995-05-14

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sercombe, Laurel; University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
Title
UW Ethnomusicology Archives concert recording: I.K. Dairo and His Blue Spots
Dates
1995-05-14
Quantity
3 items  :  OT - 2 vcts (8mm, sp, color, stereo); EC - 1 vct (S-VHS, sp, color, stereo); Duration: 1:55:00
Collection Number
1995016
Summary
Recording of concert by Visiting Artist in Ethnomusicology I.K. Dairo and his students in Brechemin Auditorium, University of Washington Music Building, 5/14/95.
Repository
University of Washington Ethnomusicology Archives
University of Washington
Ethnomusicology Archives
Box 353450
Seattle, WA
98195-3450
Telephone: 2065430974
ethnoarc@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access is restricted.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

I.K. (Isaiah Kehinde) Dairo was born in Offa, Nigeria in 1930. He was a musician and religious leader. 'Father' of modern Jùjú, Dairo practised numerous professions while playing in jùjú bands in the 1940s before forming his own early jùjú bands in the mid-50s, the Morning Star Orchestra, which later reformed as the Blue Spots. Perhaps the first internationally recognized African recording musician, Dairo's successful jùjú performances and recordings helped to displace highlife as the principal popular genre in Nigeria in the early 1970s. His jùjú music drew on traditional Yoruba drumming and praise-singing, while introducing Cuban rhythms, the button accordion and elements of Christian hymnody. Dairo released hundreds of recordings, influencing the younger generation of jùjú artists, including 'King' Sunny Adé, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and Sir Shina Peters. Dairo was awarded the MBE in 1963 by Queen Elizabeth for his musical contributions to the Commonwealth, the only African musician ever to be so honoured. The founder of the Aladura Christian movement in Lagos, Dairo also served as the president of the Performing Rights Society, Nigerian Chapter, and founded the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria.

- Grove Music Online, Gregory F. Barz

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Recorded by Laurel Sercombe with Sony CCD-TR 101 Hi8 Handycam.

First half of the concert performed by I.K. Dairo and students: Bembe processional drumming; UW anthem; Egbe Ifelodun (Love Is Sweet) Juju group; Talking drum ensemble and the New Spots (listed in program as the Junior Blue Spots Band)

Second half of concert - I.K. Dairo and His Blue Spots and the White Spot: I.K. Dairo/accordion, vocals, dundun; Mohammed Shaibu/guitar and vocals; Chatta Addy/congas and vocals; Denny Stern/shekere; Chris Waterman/bass.

See program notes for names of student performers.

Super-VHS copy (95-16.3 EC) contains entire concert and should be used as a source tape for future copies.

Total duration: 1 hr., 55 min.

Documentation: Concert program notes.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Concerts
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Video recordings in ethnomusicology
  • jùjú--african

Geographical Names

  • Africa
  • Nigeria
  • Seattle (Wash.)
  • West Africa
  • Yoruba--Africa--Western Africa

Form or Genre Terms

  • Video recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Addy, Chatta (performer)
    • Dairo, Isaiah Kehinde, 1930-1996 (performer)
    • Shaibu, Mohammed (performer)
    • Stern, Denny (performer)
    • Waterman, Christopher Alan, 1954- (performer)
    Corporate Names
    • Blue Spots (performer)