Ayodele Maakheru
Musician (guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, voice, bouzouki) composer, performer and teacher.
Studied at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, City College of NY and Brooklyn College.
Has performed, toured and/or recorded with a variety of artists (Billy Porter, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Leslie Uggams, Jeff Daniels, Ruben Santiago Hudson, Joaquina Kalukango, Woza Masekela Band, the NY Philharmonic)
Over four decades on stage & in the Broadway productions of Lackawanna Blues, Paradise Square, To Kill A Mockingbird, Black & Blue, The Full Monty, Bring in da Noise/Bring in da Funk, The Color Purple, Shuffle Along, Don't Bother Me /I Can't Cope, Bella & Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
A featured artist with the Clef Club Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, Randy Weston's African Rhythms, the Tappan Cowboys & the Pinkster Players.
Bronx Council on the Arts 2004 BRIO Award winner for music composition and an ASCAP award for composition.
Has recorded 2 cds of original music SUNSHIP & DISTANT TRAVELER. Plus a country/pop cover cd ANOTHER COUNTRY