Ahamefule J. Oluo facts for kids

Ahamefule J. Oluo is an American musician, trumpeter, composer, stand-up comedian, and writer. He was the first artist-in-residence at Town Hall Seattle.

Ahamefule Oluo's Career Highlights

Music and Performances

Ahamefule Oluo is a talented trumpeter. He has played or recorded with many famous musicians and groups. These include Das Racist, John Zorn, Hey Marseilles, and Macklemore.

He is also a member of a jazz group called Industrial Revelation. This group won a special award in 2014 called the Stranger Genius Award. The other members of his band are D'Vonne Lewis (drums), Evan Flory-Barnes (bass), and Josh Rawlings (keyboards).

Artist-in-Residence at Town Hall Seattle

In 2012, Ahamefule Oluo became the very first artist-in-residence at Town Hall Seattle. This means he was a special artist invited to work there. During this time, he created a unique show called "Now I'm Fine."

This show was an experimental pop opera about a difficult year in his life. He wrote it with Lindy West. The full show first opened in December 2014 at the On the Boards theater. It featured a large 17-piece orchestra and received great reviews.

A critic from the Seattle Times said that Oluo might have created "a new art form." He mixed his own big-band jazz music with stand-up comedy and personal stories.

"Now I'm Fine" on Tour

The show "Now I'm Fine" later traveled to New York City. It was performed at Public Theater in January 2016. This was part of the Under the Radar Festival. It was also staged at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in Maryland in February 2017.

The New York Times reviewed the show in New York. They said Oluo made a simple one-person show much bigger and more exciting. They described his music as "modernist jazz" that sounded serious, like a New Orleans funeral march.

Thin Skin Film Project

A film called Thin Skin was made based on Oluo's play Now, I'm Fine. It also drew inspiration from his This American Life episode "The Wedding Crasher." Ahamefule Oluo stars in the film.

He wrote the script for the film with Lindy West and Charles Mudede. Charles Mudede also directed the movie. Oluo's sister, Ijeoma Oluo, appears in the film as herself. The film was released for streaming and showings in late 2023.

Comedy Work

Ahamefule Oluo also works as a comedian. He has worked closely with Hari Kondabolu. In 2010, Hari Kondabolu called him "my great friend and writing partner."

Ahamefule Oluo's Personal Life

Ahamefule Oluo is biracial. His father came from Nigeria and was Black. His mother is a white woman from Kansas.

Oluo married writer Lindy West on July 11, 2015. His older sister is the well-known writer and activist Ijeoma Oluo.