Jimi Solanke (4 July 1942 – 5 February 2024) was a Nigerian film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet and playwright.[2][3][4]
Jimi Solanke | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 July 1942 |
| Died | 5 February 2024 (aged 81) Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | University of Ibadan |
| Occupation(s) | Film actor Playwright Poet Folk Singer Dramatist |
| Known for | Kongi's Harvest, Sango, Shadow Parties |
| Relatives | Oyinkansola Solanke, Kehinde Solanke, Arole Taiwo Solanke, Seun Solanke, Lope Solanke, Sayo Solanke, Sola Solanke [1] |
Early life
editSolanke graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma certificate in drama.[5]
Career
editAfter graduation, Solanke moved to the United States, where he created a drama group called The Africa Review, focusing on African culture. Members of this group usually put on African clothing, specifically Yoruba costume. They performed in black African schools.[6] Solanke established himself in Los Angeles, California, where his storytelling career began. He was described as a "master storyteller" by CNN.[7]
In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with three members of the African Review group to work with the NTA. He also played the minstrel on the children's show Storyland.[8] [9] His reputation earned him the lead role in most of Ola Balogun's films.[10] He was part of the team that made the film of Kongi's Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.[11]
Death
editSolanke died at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria on 5 February 2024, at the age of 81.[12]
Filmography
edit- Kongi's Harvest (1970)
- Sango: The Legendary African King (1997)
- Shadow Parties (2021) as Akanji's Father
- Jagun Jagun (2023) as Narrator
References
edit- ^ Umukoro, Arukaino (30 June 2013). "My father shares household chores with my mum — Jimi Solanke's daughter". punchng.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Alakam, Japhet (8 April 2012). "Night of Poets at the Lagos Black Heritage Festival". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Abeniji, Gbenga (16 November 2014). "Tales by bedside lamps". punchng.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Cultural Rebirth At Lagos Black Heritage Festival". thisdaylive.com. 20 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Dada, Oladele (26 November 2014). "Jimi Solanke: Foremost story teller". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Meyer-Dinkgräfe, Daniel (20 May 2003). Who's Who in Contemporary World Theatre. New York: Routledge. p. 284. ISBN 1134767862. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ Kermeliotis, Teo (6 January 2012). "Master storyteller brings folk tales to life". CNN. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ "Jimi Solanke: Hats off for a veteran at 70". dailyindependentnig.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Jimi Solanke Storyteller First Rap
- ^ Balogun, Adeola. "We shared intelligence and wine with Wole Soyinka". www.punchng.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
- ^ NgFinders (29 October 2019). "Jimi Solanke: Biography, Age, Career, Family And Movies". Ngfinders.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Veteran actor Jimi Solanke dies at 81". Punch. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
External links
edit- Jimi Solanke at IMDb
- Jimi Solanke discography at Discogs