Toby Foyeh facts for kids

Toby Foyeh, also known as Tokunbo Olowofoyeku, is a talented musician and guitarist. He has roots in Britain, Nigeria, and America. Toby was born in London, England, to Nigerian parents. Today, he lives near Washington, D.C. in the United States. Even though he mostly taught himself music, he also studied at the Berklee College of Music and Howard University. At Howard, he also earned a degree in film directing.

Toby Foyeh has released several albums. These include Here I Come (in Nigeria), Jalolo (1999/2001), and Lagos Ilu Eko (2006). Lagos Ilu Eko was released in the US, Canada, and Europe. His album Pirates of Africa came out in 2019. The first album, Here I Come, featured popular songs like "Ore mi" and "I'm on Fire". "Jalolo" and "Rain Dance" are well-known songs from his albums Jalolo and Lagos Ilu Eko. In September 2021, he released African Festival. He also plans to release a new album called 'The Land of Spirits and Magic'.

Toby Foyeh has performed a lot on Nigerian TV. His music videos have been shown for many years. With his band, Orchestra Africa, he has played concerts in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Africa. He is also the uncle of Kwame Jackson. Kwame was the runner-up in the 2004 TV show The Apprentice on NBC.

Toby's Early Life and School

Toby Foyeh was born in London, England. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Western Nigeria. Later, he went to university in the USA. He studied at Berklee College of Music and Howard University. Toby is the fifth child of Chief Babatunji Olowofoyeku. His father was an important Nigerian politician.

From age 5, Toby went to Children's Home School in Ibadan. Then he moved to Abadina School at the University of Ibadan. He finished his primary school at St Johns School in Iloro, Ilesha. After St Johns School, Toby was accepted into King's College, Lagos, Nigeria. He also attended International School Ibadan in Nigeria. After high school, he moved to the US. There, he studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He also went to Howard University in Washington, D.C..

Toby Foyeh's Music Career

Toby started playing music when he was young in Nigeria. He played with school bands at King's College, Lagos, and International School Ibadan. He also played music while studying in the United States. In Nigeria, parents often expect their children to become engineers, doctors, or lawyers. Toby's father was a lawyer, so his family hoped he would follow that path. But Toby chose music instead!

Toby wanted to make Nigerian and African music more modern. He aimed to mix different styles together. He formed a band with some high school friends. This band later toured America as part of Hugh Masekela's Ojah Band. Toby has also worked as a producer and co-producer for other artists. He has helped create music in African, Jazz, and Soul styles. For example, he worked with keyboard player Roy Carter (from the band Heatwave). They produced a dance hit for a UK group called Covergirl. He also worked with Jake Sollo (from Osibisa), Saul Malinga (from Ipi Tombi), and Orlando Julius Ekemode.

Music Style and Inspirations

Toby Foyeh's early music influences came from West Africa. These included artists like Haruna Ishola, Victor Uwaifo, and Fela Kuti. From the USA, he was inspired by musicians such as Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and George Benson.

The types of music you can hear in Toby's songs are:

• Yoruba Traditional
• Africa Jam
• Afro Beat
• Highlife
• Pop
• Rock
• Funk
• Jazz

Awards and Special Achievements

Toby Foyeh has received some special awards and scholarships:

• He received a scholarship for his final year at Howard University in Washington, D.C..
• He also got a scholarship for two years at International School Ibadan in Nigeria.
• In April 2000, he won the International World Music Award in Boston. This award was for his important contributions to music and arts around the world.

Toby Foyeh's Discography

Toby has released many CDs, 12-inch vinyl singles, and albums. He has been making music for almost forty years!

• Here I Come (1981)
• "Danger Zone" (with Andy Sodjka) (1984)
• "I'm a winner (Covergirl)" (1985)
• "Stay With Me (Covergirl)" (1986)
• "Hollywood City" (1986)
• Jalolo (UK) (1991)
• Jalolo (USA) (1999)
• Ilu Eko (Lagos) (2006)
• "Ore Mi" (single, 2017)
• 'Pirates of Africa' (2019)
• 'African Festival (2021)

His music has been released on these labels: Taretone Records, Space Station Records, Kameleon and Kameleon Africa Records, and Toby Foyeh Soundwave Records.

Concerts and Tours

Toby Foyeh and his band, Orchestra Africa, have performed at many universities in the US. They have also played at famous performing arts centers. These include the Kennedy Center and the Cerritos Center in Cerritos, California. The UK-based saxophonist and keyboard player Tunday Akintan has toured with Toby's band. TolumiDE, a singer from the US, sings backup for the band and has also opened their shows.

The band has toured all over the world. They have played at many International Jazz Festivals, such as:

• Malta Jazz Festival
• Toronto Jazz Festival (three times!)
• Montreal International Jazz Festival
• Vancouver Jazz Festival
• Calgary Jazz Festival
• Medicine Hat Jazz Festival
• Detroit Jazz Festival
• Syracuse Jazz Festival
• Washington DC Jazz Festival
• Bahamas Jazz Festival
• Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival
• Grenada Spice Jazz Festival
• Curaçao Jazz Festival
• Fuji Rock Festival in Nigaata, Japan

They have also toured and performed in Nigeria and London, England.

Toby's Family

Toby Foyeh has 14 brothers and two sisters. They live in the US, the UK, and Nigeria. One of his younger brothers is Abimbola Olowofoyeku. He is a professor of Law at Brunel University London. Toby's youngest sister is the Hollywood actress Folake Olowofoyeku.

Toby's nephew, Kwame Jackson, was the runner-up in the 2004 TV show The Apprentice. This show was hosted by Donald Trump. Another nephew, Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, was part of the Kugali team. This team created a Nigerian animated mini-series called Iwájú for Disney+. It was released in February 2024.