King Sunny Ade and his African Beats were poised to perform at the Bourbon Theatre on Sunday, showcasing the musical work of Ade, the first African to be twice-nominated for a Grammy and considered one of the most influential artists of all time.
Instead, the show will be a benefit event and a “celebration of life,” featuring other world ensembles after Ade had to cancel a string of concerts following the death of two of his band members in March. Those involved with the event found out about the cancellation on Tuesday, but still wanted to provide the public with music in Ade’s honor.
The “World Music Memorial Benefit,” benefiting KZUM Community Radio, is the alternate concert for the event. The doors open at 5 p.m. on Sunday for the event, which will feature musical groups from countries all over the world. Those who purchased tickets for the King Sunny Ade show can receive a full refund, or they can attend the alternate concert and donate their King Sunny Ade ticket cost.
The alternate concert will feature Son del Llano, a classic Cuban son and salsa group, and Alash, which is a group of four throat singers from Tuva. Iranian Masoud Mahjouri-Samani will perform solo on the tar, while the Ashanti African Roots Band will play King Sunny Ade covers as a tribute.
“We are saddened by the deaths of these two important musicians, and hope that we can turn this sadness into a celebration of life, world music and community radio,” said Cathy Behrns, KZUM’s general manager in a news release. “We will gladly provide refunds to anyone who requests them, but we hope that folks will still join KZUM for a great night of unique world music from some stellar bands.”
All of the net proceeds from the performance would have gone to benefitting KZUM, said Dennis Kornbluh, producer of Star City blog who has a radio show on KZUM. His niece had gone on tour with Ade, and Kornbluh was able to make connections with him because of her administrative role. He has worked for six months preparing for the event.
“It’s very disappointing, and very tragic,” Kornbluh said. “But he can’t stand on stage and play joyful music when inside he is suffering.”
Ade, a Nigerian musician who was one of the pioneers of “juju” music, cancelled a number of his concerts after two members of his band were killed in a car accident in March. Gabriel Ayanniyi, who played the talking drum, and percussionist Omo Olope, were long-time members of the band who were on their way to a video music shoot when they were killed, said King Sunny Ade representative Ron Kaplan in a news release. Ade’s concerts in Minneapolis and Chicago were also cancelled.
“Final plans for the U.S. tour hit a snag since that time, and possibly as a result of this loss, communication between KSA’s Nigerian management and U.S. management has become attenuated,” Kaplan said in a news release. “King Sunny’s concerts in Chicago and Minneapolis this weekend have also been canceled.”
Cancelling the event was understandable, said Jeremy Buckley, booking agent for the Bourbon Theatre, because Ade lost vital members of his band. The public should still come to the alternate show to see other music groups, he said.
“It was unavoidable to cancel, and we are prepared to deal,” Buckley said. “We just want to make the best of the situation.”
IF YOU GO:
“World Music Memorial Benefit”
when: Sunday, 6 p.m.
where: Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O Street
how much: free, donations accepted
04/15/10 >> 
