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'''Ahamefule J. Oluo''' is an American musician,<ref>{{cite web|title=New Pop Opera By Oluo of Industrial Revelation Opening in Seattle|first=Florangela|last=Davila|date=December 1, 2014|work=[[KNKX|KPLU-FM]]|url=http://www.kplu.org/term/ahamefule-j-oluo|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702142418/http://www.kplu.org/term/ahamefule-j-oluo|archive-date=July 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> trumpeter,<ref name="Berson">{{cite web|date=December 6, 2014|title=Ahamefule J. Oluo: A true talent emerges at OtB|first=Misha|last=Berson|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/artspage/2014/12/06/ahamefule-j-oluo-a-true-talent-emerges-at-otb/|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Miserable Year That Inspired Ahamefule Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine'|first=Marcie|last=Sillman|date=December 4, 2014|url=http://kuow.org/post/miserable-year-inspired-ahamefule-oluos-now-im-fine|work=[[KUOW-FM]]}}</ref> composer,<ref name="Berson" /> stand-up comedian, and writer.<ref name=CA1>{{cite web|work=City Arts|url=http://www.cityartsonline.com/articles/technically-christmas|title=Technically Christmas|date=November 24, 2014|first=Ahamefule J.|last=Oluo}}</ref> He was the first artist-in-residence at [[Town Hall Seattle]].<ref name="Town Hall">{{cite web|publisher=[[Town Hall Seattle]]|url=https://townhallseattle.org/event/oluos/|title=Ijeoma and Ahamefule Oluo in Conversation|date=June 29, 2017|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref>
'''Ahamefule J. Oluo''' is an American musician,<ref>{{cite web|title=New Pop Opera By Oluo of Industrial Revelation Opening in Seattle|first=Florangela|last=Davila|date=December 1, 2014|work=[[KNKX|KPLU-FM]]|url=http://www.kplu.org/term/ahamefule-j-oluo|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702142418/http://www.kplu.org/term/ahamefule-j-oluo|archive-date=July 2, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> trumpeter,<ref name="Berson">{{cite web|date=December 6, 2014|title=Ahamefule J. Oluo: A true talent emerges at OtB|first=Misha|last=Berson|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|url=http://blogs.seattletimes.com/artspage/2014/12/06/ahamefule-j-oluo-a-true-talent-emerges-at-otb/|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Miserable Year That Inspired Ahamefule Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine'|first=Marcie|last=Sillman|date=December 4, 2014|url=http://kuow.org/post/miserable-year-inspired-ahamefule-oluos-now-im-fine|work=[[KUOW-FM]]}}</ref> composer,<ref name="Berson" /> stand-up comedian, and writer.<ref name=CA1>{{cite web|work=City Arts|url=http://www.cityartsonline.com/articles/technically-christmas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126155407/http://www.cityartsonline.com/articles/technically-christmas|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 26, 2014|title=Technically Christmas|date=November 24, 2014|first=Ahamefule J.|last=Oluo}}</ref> He was the first artist-in-residence at [[Town Hall Seattle]].<ref name="Town Hall">{{cite web|publisher=[[Town Hall Seattle]]|url=https://townhallseattle.org/event/oluos/|title=Ijeoma and Ahamefule Oluo in Conversation|date=June 29, 2017|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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In 2012, Oluo was selected as [[Town Hall Seattle]]'s first-ever artist-in-residence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1001801/5c2844ec85/TEST/TEST/|title=TOWN HALL: Our NEW Artist/Scholar-In-Residence!|website=hosted.verticalresponse.com|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> During his time as the artist-in-residence, he created an experimental autobiographical pop opera, "Now I'm Fine," about the year his father died.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kuow.org/post/miserable-year-inspired-ahamefule-oluos-now-im-fine|title=The Miserable Year That Inspired Ahamefule Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine'|last=Sillman|first=Marcie|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> The full-length opera (co-written with [[Lindy West]]) debuted in December 2014, at [[On the Boards]] theater, complete with a 17-piece orchestra, and received positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uproxx.com/life/the-pursuit-ahamefule-j-oluo-the-artist-who-would-not-quit/2/|title=When The Biggest Success Is Refusing To Ever Quit|date=November 4, 2016|work=UPROXX|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> ''Seattle Times'' critic Misha Berson said Oluo possibly created "a new art form" by combining his own big-band jazz pieces with a blend of standup comedy and memoir.<ref name="Berson" /> The piece went on to New York City's [[The Public Theater|Public Theater]] in January 2016 as part of the [[Under the Radar Festival|Under the Radar]] Festival<ref name="Public">{{cite web|title=Ahamefule J. Oluo: Now I'm Fine|url=https://www.publictheater.org/Tickets/Calendar/PlayDetailsCollection/UTR/2016/Now-Im-Fine/|publisher=[[The Public Theater]]|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Review: 'Now I'm Fine,' Ahamefule J. Oluo's Take on Himself|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/theater/review-now-im-fine-ahamefule-j-oluos-take-on-himself.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Ben|last=Brantley|authorlink=Ben Brantley|date=January 17, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref> and was also staged at the [[Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center]] at the University of Maryland in February 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: Ahamefule J. Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine' at The Clarice|url=https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2017/02/18/review-ahamefule-j-oluos-now-im-fine-clarice/|publisher=DC Metro Theater Arts|first=Emily|last=Schweich|date=February 18, 2017|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reviewed the Public Theater run of "Now I'm Fine," saying that Oluo expanded the format of the "standard, modest, one-man confessional show" to "dizzying proportions" and described the score as "modernist jazz [that] leans toward solemnity, suggesting a New Orleans funeral march."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/theater/review-now-im-fine-ahamefule-j-oluos-take-on-himself.html|title=Review: 'Now I'm Fine,' Ahamefule J. Oluo's Take on Himself|last=Brantley|first=Ben|year=2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 10, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2012, Oluo was selected as [[Town Hall Seattle]]'s first-ever artist-in-residence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/1001801/5c2844ec85/TEST/TEST/|title=TOWN HALL: Our NEW Artist/Scholar-In-Residence!|website=hosted.verticalresponse.com|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> During his time as the artist-in-residence, he created an experimental autobiographical pop opera, "Now I'm Fine," about the year his father died.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kuow.org/post/miserable-year-inspired-ahamefule-oluos-now-im-fine|title=The Miserable Year That Inspired Ahamefule Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine'|last=Sillman|first=Marcie|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> The full-length opera (co-written with [[Lindy West]]) debuted in December 2014, at [[On the Boards]] theater, complete with a 17-piece orchestra, and received positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uproxx.com/life/the-pursuit-ahamefule-j-oluo-the-artist-who-would-not-quit/2/|title=When The Biggest Success Is Refusing To Ever Quit|date=November 4, 2016|work=UPROXX|access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> ''Seattle Times'' critic Misha Berson said Oluo possibly created "a new art form" by combining his own big-band jazz pieces with a blend of standup comedy and memoir.<ref name="Berson" /> The piece went on to New York City's [[The Public Theater|Public Theater]] in January 2016 as part of the [[Under the Radar Festival|Under the Radar]] Festival<ref name="Public">{{cite web|title=Ahamefule J. Oluo: Now I'm Fine|url=https://www.publictheater.org/Tickets/Calendar/PlayDetailsCollection/UTR/2016/Now-Im-Fine/|publisher=[[The Public Theater]]|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Review: 'Now I'm Fine,' Ahamefule J. Oluo's Take on Himself|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/theater/review-now-im-fine-ahamefule-j-oluos-take-on-himself.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Ben|last=Brantley|authorlink=Ben Brantley|date=January 17, 2016|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref> and was also staged at the [[Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center]] at the University of Maryland in February 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Review: Ahamefule J. Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine' at The Clarice|url=https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2017/02/18/review-ahamefule-j-oluos-now-im-fine-clarice/|publisher=DC Metro Theater Arts|first=Emily|last=Schweich|date=February 18, 2017|accessdate=February 6, 2018}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reviewed the Public Theater run of "Now I'm Fine," saying that Oluo expanded the format of the "standard, modest, one-man confessional show" to "dizzying proportions" and described the score as "modernist jazz [that] leans toward solemnity, suggesting a New Orleans funeral march."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/14/theater/review-now-im-fine-ahamefule-j-oluos-take-on-himself.html|title=Review: 'Now I'm Fine,' Ahamefule J. Oluo's Take on Himself|last=Brantley|first=Ben|year=2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 10, 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


The film ''Thin Skin'', starring Oluo and based on his off-Broadway play ''Now, I'm Fine'' and his [[This American Life]] episode "The Wedding Crasher" was scheduled for release in 2020,<ref name="Thin Skin 2020">{{Cite web|title=Thin Skin|url=https://www.thinskinmovie.com/|access-date=2020-11-03|website=Thin Skin|language=en-US}}</ref> but apparently that did not happen,{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} and the film is being released streaming and for showings in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City November 2023.<ref name="Stranger Suggests 2023-11">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestranger.com/stranger-suggests/2023/11/15/79262031/stranger-suggests-thin-skin-old-man-of-the-woods-seattle-turkish-film-festival-alva-noe-gaza-fights-for-freedom|title=Stranger Suggests: ''Thin Skin,'' Old Man of the Woods, Seattle Turkish Film Festival, Alva Noë, ''Gaza Fights for Freedom''|work=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]|date=2023-11-05|location=Seattle|accessdate=2023-11-15}}</ref><ref name="Thin Skin 2023">{{Cite web|title=Thin Skin|url=https://www.thinskinmovie.com/|access-date=2023-11-15|website=Thin Skin|language=en-US}}</ref> Oluo wrote the film's script with [[Lindy West]] and [[Charles Mudede]].<ref name="Thin Skin 2023" /> Mudede directed; Oluo's sister [[Ijeoma Oluo]] appears in the film as herself.<ref name="Stranger Suggests 2023-11" />
In 2020, Thin Skin was released, a film based on Oluo's off-Broadway play "Now, I'm Fine" and his [[This American Life]] episode "The Wedding Crasher." Oluo wrote the film's script with [[Lindy West]] and [[Charles Mudede]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thin Skin|url=https://www.thinskinmovie.com/|access-date=2020-11-03|website=Thin Skin|language=en-US}}</ref>


As a comedian, he has collaborated closely with [[Hari Kondabolu]], who described him in 2010 as "my great friend and writing partner."<ref>{{cite web|title=December Shows in the Pacific Northwest|date=December 13, 2010|website=harikondabolu.com|url=http://www.harikondabolu.com/2010/12/december-shows-in-the-pacific-northwest/|first=Hari|last=Kondabolu|authorlink=Hari Kondabolu|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref>
As a comedian, he has collaborated closely with [[Hari Kondabolu]], who described him in 2010 as "my great friend and writing partner."<ref>{{cite web|title=December Shows in the Pacific Northwest|date=December 13, 2010|website=harikondabolu.com|url=http://www.harikondabolu.com/2010/12/december-shows-in-the-pacific-northwest/|first=Hari|last=Kondabolu|authorlink=Hari Kondabolu|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref>
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Oluo is [[biracial]]; his father is a black immigrant from Nigeria and his mother is a white woman from Kansas.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 6, 2011|title=My Father Is an African Immigrant and My Mother Is a White Girl from Kansas and I Am Not the President of the United States Or, How to Disappoint Your Absent Father in 20 Words or Less|first=Ahamefule J.|last=Oluo|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/my-father-is-an-african-immigrant-and-my-mother-is-a-white-girl-from-kansas-and-i-am-not-the-president-of-the-united-states/Content?oid=8932130|work=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]}}</ref>
Oluo is [[biracial]]; his father is a black immigrant from Nigeria and his mother is a white woman from Kansas.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 6, 2011|title=My Father Is an African Immigrant and My Mother Is a White Girl from Kansas and I Am Not the President of the United States Or, How to Disappoint Your Absent Father in 20 Words or Less|first=Ahamefule J.|last=Oluo|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/my-father-is-an-african-immigrant-and-my-mother-is-a-white-girl-from-kansas-and-i-am-not-the-president-of-the-united-states/Content?oid=8932130|work=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]}}</ref>


Oluo married writer [[Lindy West]] on July 11, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Lindy|authorlink=Lindy West|title=My wedding was perfect – and I was fat as hell the whole time|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/21/my-wedding-perfect-fat-woman|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> His older sister is writer and activist [[Ijeoma Oluo]].<ref name="Town Hall" />
Oluo married writer [[Lindy West]] on July 11, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=West|first=Lindy|authorlink=Lindy West|title=My wedding was perfect – and I was fat as hell the whole time|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jul/21/my-wedding-perfect-fat-woman|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> He and West practice [[polyamory]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Polyamory Is Not Too Good To Be True: Lindy, Roya, & Aham On The Best Relationship Of Their Lives | date=January 27, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWJWx4HnaxY |access-date=2023-07-03 |language=en}}</ref>

His older sister is writer and activist [[Ijeoma Oluo]].<ref name="Town Hall" />


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:21st-century American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American musicians]]
[[Category:American people of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:African-American jazz composers]]
[[Category:African-American jazz composers]]
[[Category:African-American jazz musicians]]
[[Category:African-American writers]]
[[Category:African-American writers]]
[[Category:21st-century trumpeters]]
[[Category:21st-century trumpeters]]
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[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:Polyamorous people]]
[[Category:American musicians of Nigerian descent]]

Latest revision as of 06:17, 27 July 2024

Ahamefule J. Oluo
BornDenton, Texas, US
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Trumpeter, musician, writer, comedian
InstrumentsTrumpet

Ahamefule J. Oluo is an American musician,[1] trumpeter,[2][3] composer,[2] stand-up comedian, and writer.[4] He was the first artist-in-residence at Town Hall Seattle.[5]

Career

[edit]

As a trumpeter, Oluo has performed or recorded with numerous prominent musicians and groups, including Das Racist, John Zorn, Hey Marseilles, Wayne Horvitz, Macklemore, and Julian Priester.[6] He is a member of jazz quartet Industrial Revelation,[7] winner of a 2014 Stranger Genius Award.[8] The other members of Industrial Revelation are D'Vonne Lewis (drums), Evan Flory-Barnes (bass), and Josh Rawlings (keyboards).[9]

In 2012, Oluo was selected as Town Hall Seattle's first-ever artist-in-residence.[10] During his time as the artist-in-residence, he created an experimental autobiographical pop opera, "Now I'm Fine," about the year his father died.[11] The full-length opera (co-written with Lindy West) debuted in December 2014, at On the Boards theater, complete with a 17-piece orchestra, and received positive reviews.[12] Seattle Times critic Misha Berson said Oluo possibly created "a new art form" by combining his own big-band jazz pieces with a blend of standup comedy and memoir.[2] The piece went on to New York City's Public Theater in January 2016 as part of the Under the Radar Festival[7][13] and was also staged at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland in February 2017.[14] The New York Times reviewed the Public Theater run of "Now I'm Fine," saying that Oluo expanded the format of the "standard, modest, one-man confessional show" to "dizzying proportions" and described the score as "modernist jazz [that] leans toward solemnity, suggesting a New Orleans funeral march."[15]

The film Thin Skin, starring Oluo and based on his off-Broadway play Now, I'm Fine and his This American Life episode "The Wedding Crasher" was scheduled for release in 2020,[16] but apparently that did not happen,[citation needed] and the film is being released streaming and for showings in Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City November 2023.[17][18] Oluo wrote the film's script with Lindy West and Charles Mudede.[18] Mudede directed; Oluo's sister Ijeoma Oluo appears in the film as herself.[17]

As a comedian, he has collaborated closely with Hari Kondabolu, who described him in 2010 as "my great friend and writing partner."[19]

Personal life

[edit]

Oluo is biracial; his father is a black immigrant from Nigeria and his mother is a white woman from Kansas.[20]

Oluo married writer Lindy West on July 11, 2015.[21] He and West practice polyamory.[22]

His older sister is writer and activist Ijeoma Oluo.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Davila, Florangela (December 1, 2014). "New Pop Opera By Oluo of Industrial Revelation Opening in Seattle". KPLU-FM. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Berson, Misha (December 6, 2014). "Ahamefule J. Oluo: A true talent emerges at OtB". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  3. ^ Sillman, Marcie (December 4, 2014). "The Miserable Year That Inspired Ahamefule Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine'". KUOW-FM.
  4. ^ Oluo, Ahamefule J. (November 24, 2014). "Technically Christmas". City Arts. Archived from the original on November 26, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ a b "Ijeoma and Ahamefule Oluo in Conversation". Town Hall Seattle. June 29, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Mudede, Charles (August 28, 2013). "Horns of Sorrow". The Stranger. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Ahamefule J. Oluo: Now I'm Fine". The Public Theater. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "The Stranger Genius Awards: The Event". The Stranger. 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  9. ^ Mudede, Charles (2016). "Industrial Revelation". The Stranger. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  10. ^ "TOWN HALL: Our NEW Artist/Scholar-In-Residence!". hosted.verticalresponse.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  11. ^ Sillman, Marcie. "The Miserable Year That Inspired Ahamefule Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine'". Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  12. ^ "When The Biggest Success Is Refusing To Ever Quit". UPROXX. November 4, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  13. ^ Brantley, Ben (January 17, 2016). "Review: 'Now I'm Fine,' Ahamefule J. Oluo's Take on Himself". The New York Times. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  14. ^ Schweich, Emily (February 18, 2017). "Review: Ahamefule J. Oluo's 'Now I'm Fine' at The Clarice". DC Metro Theater Arts. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  15. ^ Brantley, Ben (2016). "Review: 'Now I'm Fine,' Ahamefule J. Oluo's Take on Himself". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  16. ^ "Thin Skin". Thin Skin. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Stranger Suggests: Thin Skin, Old Man of the Woods, Seattle Turkish Film Festival, Alva Noë, Gaza Fights for Freedom". The Stranger. Seattle. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Thin Skin". Thin Skin. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  19. ^ Kondabolu, Hari (December 13, 2010). "December Shows in the Pacific Northwest". harikondabolu.com. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  20. ^ Oluo, Ahamefule J. (July 6, 2011). "My Father Is an African Immigrant and My Mother Is a White Girl from Kansas and I Am Not the President of the United States Or, How to Disappoint Your Absent Father in 20 Words or Less". The Stranger.
  21. ^ West, Lindy (July 21, 2015). "My wedding was perfect – and I was fat as hell the whole time". The Guardian.
  22. ^ Polyamory Is Not Too Good To Be True: Lindy, Roya, & Aham On The Best Relationship Of Their Lives, January 27, 2022, retrieved July 3, 2023
[edit]