Ahamefule J. Oluo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahamefule J. Oluo
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| Born | Error: Need valid birth date: year, month, day Denton, Texas, US |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Trumpeter, musician, writer, comedian |
| Instruments | Trumpet |
| Associated acts | Mayer Hawthorne Hey Marseilles Degenerate Art Ensemble Meklit Hadero John Zorn The Ham Store Hadley Caliman Wayne Horvitz Blue Scholars Julian Priester Hari Kondabolu Mike Drucker |
Ahamefule J. Oluo is an American artist who is a talented trumpeter, musician, composer, stand-up comedian, and writer. Ahamefule Oluo uses they/them pronouns. They were the very first artist to be specially invited to work at Town Hall Seattle.
Contents
Ahamefule Oluo's Career
Music and Performances
As a trumpeter, Ahamefule Oluo has played and recorded music with many famous musicians and groups. Some of these include Macklemore, John Zorn, and Wayne Horvitz.
They are also a member of a jazz group called Industrial Revelation. This group won a special award called the Stranger Genius Award in 2014. The other members of Industrial Revelation are D'Vonne Lewis, Evan Flory-Barnes, and Josh Rawlings.
"Now I'm Fine" Show
In 2012, Ahamefule Oluo became the first artist-in-residence at Town Hall Seattle. This means they were a special artist invited to create new work there. During this time, they created a unique show called "Now I'm Fine." This show was a mix of music, comedy, and a personal story about the year their father passed away.
The full show, which was co-written with Lindy West, first opened in December 2014. It was performed at the On the Boards theater with a large 17-piece orchestra. Critics really liked it! One critic from the Seattle Times even said that Oluo might have created "a new art form" by mixing big-band jazz with stand-up comedy and a personal story.
The show later traveled to New York City in January 2016 for the Under the Radar Festival. It was also performed at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in Maryland in February 2017. The New York Times reviewed the show in New York. They said that Oluo made a simple one-person show much bigger and more exciting. They also described the music as "modernist jazz" that sounded serious, like a New Orleans funeral march.
Thin Skin Film
The film Thin Skin stars Ahamefule Oluo. This movie was based on their stage show Now I'm Fine and an episode of the radio show This American Life called "The Wedding Crasher."
The film first showed online in 2020 at the Bentonville Film Festival. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2023, the movie became available on streaming platforms. It also played in theaters in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City. Ahamefule Oluo wrote the movie's script with Lindy West and Charles Mudede. Charles Mudede also directed the film. Oluo's sister, Ijeoma Oluo, appears in the movie as herself.
Comedy Work
As a comedian, Ahamefule Oluo has worked closely with Hari Kondabolu. Hari Kondabolu described them as his "great friend and writing partner" in 2010.
Ahamefule Oluo's Personal Life
Ahamefule Oluo is biracial. This means their parents are from different racial backgrounds. Their father was a Black immigrant from Nigeria, and their mother is a white woman from Kansas.
Ahamefule Oluo married writer Lindy West on July 11, 2015. Their older sister is the writer and activist Ijeoma Oluo.
