Olu Dara: In the World

Copy at Case Memorial Library
Jeffrey Petrin wrote in Play: "Born and raised in Natchez, Miss., Dara grew up listening to a wide variety of music, including opera, R&B, blues, traditional African music and country. Ironically, there was not a lot of jazz in his home as his family saw a lot more live music than they did listen to the radio, and the jazz scene at that time was mostly in the north. Dara started his venture into music when he was seven years-old, playing clarinet. He eventually moved to cornet and trumpet and began playing in groups around Mississippi and Louisiana. Following a discharge from the navy, Dara moved to New York and eventually hooked up with Hard Bop innovator Art Blakey, and became a staple in the free jazz world, working with such artists as David Murray. … In 1998, with his son's (hip hop artist Nas) urging, Dara released his first album … The record came as a shock to the jazz world, as the album was not a jazz record; in fact, Dara plays cornet on a handful of the album's tracks. Instead Dara focused on guitar and vocals, creating a record that drew inspiration more globally, from American roots to African rhythmic music" (8/6/08).