The Nigerian singer and guitarist Adédèjì Adetayo started singing in a church choir in Lagos at the age of 6. By the age of 10, the talented singer became the leader of the choir. From 13 years old, Adédèjì was already a highly sought-after studio singer and recorded and performed with local Nigerian stars like Imoleayo, Pasuma, Obesere, Gbenga Adewusi, Sound Sultan, and Sammy Okposo. At 15, he picked up the guitar and three years later he was also working as a professional guitarist. At 18 years of age, he took a music theory exam at Muson College and then went to The Polytechnic of Ibadan to study Music Technology and finally continued to study music at The University of Lagos. It became a short visit as he was too busy with his professional career. Later on, he graduated from London College of Music with a licentiate in guitar performance and further specialized at The Prins Claus Conservatory in The Netherlands with a bachelor's in Jazz Music. Since then, the gifted musician has recorded and shared stages with Tony Allen, Lionel Loueke, Gene Jackson, Lagbaja, Ayo Bankole, Paco Sery, Keziah Jones, Fred Wesley, and Fra Fra Sound, and he opened concerts for Manu Dibango and Kenny Garrett. Adedeji's first album, "Ajo," featuring Lionel Loueke, gifted him with 'The North Netherlands Young Talent Award' in 2012. His second album "Afreekanism," featuring Orlando Julius, won him the 'LBM Awards - Best Afro Fusion Artist' in Nigeria in 2017.

'Yoruba Odyssey', Adédèjì's latest album, is a project that goes back to the core of his very roots. The result is a progressive Jazz-Funk record, influenced by vintage Afrobeat and Yoruba eclectic sounds, that greatly reflects Adedeji's upbringing in the metropolitan city of Lagos. A 10-track educating, entertaining, feel-good, funky album, that chronicles his interpretation of the music and artists that have influenced Adédèjì. From Soul, to Jazz, to Blues, to Funk, to the Traditional Yoruba music he grew up with. 'Yoruba Odyssey' was recorded during 3 days in Lagos, Nigeria, at the legendary Afrodisia/Decca Studio, that has housed giants like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, and many more. The album presents authentic and personal ideas with tremendous harmonies and tight arrangements. The nine-man band includes some of Nigeria's best studio musicians, the grooviest rhythm section, and a splendid horn section add to the Afrobeat-influenced sound together with the beautiful male and female backing vocals, that clearly has references to Adédèjì's Gospel upbringing.
'Yoruba Odyssey' was released by the multi-awarded One World Records in August 2022.
The hippest band in Lagos! They know their roots and they know the music that has influenced the world since the 70s. If you love James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Prince, George Benson, and, of course, Fela, you are most likely to love Adédèjì!
The lineup on the recording are all wonderful musicians, giving their best approach to Adédèjì's complex compositions. The lyrics in his tunes are sung in Yoruba, English, and Pidgin English. In the texts, Adédèjì is reigniting the traditional identity of Yoruba culture. Even though the arrangements are of a level you would think would take a year to record, this group sounds effortless and full of energetic joy.

LAGOS BAND
Adédèjì Adetayo Guitars & Lead Vocal, Ebun Arowosegbe Backing Vocals, Mary Sobowale Backing Vocals, Victor Ademofe Trumpet, Ralph Lasisi Tenor Saxophone, Samuel Olawale Keyboards, Wale Akindiya Bass, Abiodun 'Wura' Oke Congas, Samuel Obinna Drums

YORUBA ODYSSEY
Produced by Adedeji Adetayo
Post Co-Production Carolina Vallejo
Recorded at Decca/Afrodisia Studio, Lagos, Nigeria
Recording Engineers Sunday Jolaosho & Dimeji Onasanya
Post-recording at Id Tone Studio & Dejafrique Studio, Athens, Greece
MIXED by Yiannis Tountas
Mastered by Tom Leader
Executive Production Adedeji Adetayo & Carolina Vallejo
©℗One World Records 2022

REVIEW WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL
Adédèjì – Yoruba Odyssey (One World Records, 2022)
Thrilling Yoruba Funk and Afrobeat by Adédèjì
'Yoruba Odyssey' is the third album by the fantastic Nigerian singer, guitarist, and composer Adedeji Adetayo, better known as Adédèjì. The album presents a set of songs grounded in traditional Yoruba, Afrobeat, funk, soul, blues, jazz, and beyond.
Adédèjì and his band take the listener on a fun and wild ride with engaging songs that feature some of the finest players in the Nigerian scene. 'Yoruba Odyssey' is skillfully crafted, with Adédèjì's creative guitar lines, magnetic harmonies, call and response vocals, insistent horns, and female and male backing vocals.

BIO
Adédèjì Adetayo studied Music at Polytechnic Ibadan, Creative Art at the University of Lagos, and Jazz and Guitar Vocals at Hanze University Groningen. He has a diploma, associate's, and licentiate degree in Performance from the London College of Music.
FESTIVALS (Selected)
African Arts Fest (Madrid), Sing Out Gospel Concerts (Germany), Swinging in Groningen (Netherlands), Kalamata Jazz Festival (Greece), Enclave de Agua Festival (Soria, Spain), Tanjazz Festival (Morocco), Jazzablanca (Morocco), Mamajazz Festival (Lithuania), Bayelsa Jazz Festival (Nigeria), Suriname Jazz Festival (Suriname), Amersfoort Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Jazz in the Pines (California)
ALBUMS
Ajo 2012
Afreekanism 2017
Yoruba Songbook 2018
Yoruba Odyssey ©℗One World Records 2022
AWARDS
VNO NCW Noord Talent Award The Netherlands 2012
LBM Awards - Best Afro Fusion Artist Nigeria 2017

INTERNATIONAL BOOKING AGENTS
Belgium, The Netherlands & Luxembourg
Wim Westerveld
CHAZZ! wim@chazz.eu
Asia & Australia
Chirag Jain
Nirvana Live cj@nirvanalive.com
Other Countries
Carolina Vallejo
One World mail@oneworldsmusic.com
MANAGEMENT & PRESS
Carolina Vallejo mail@oneworldsmusic.com