
Born in Nigeria in the late 80s by a Clergy Man who was a musician back in the days before he became a church priest, his father performed with great Nigerian music households names like EBENEZER OBEY, DELE ABIODUN , SHINA PETERS, JIDE JOHNSON amongst others. At his tender age, the Man had played many old tapes to him while driving his old Volkswagen Beetle. 
 He grew up listening to EBENEZER OBEY, KING SUNNY ADE, STEVIE WONDER, LENNY WILLIAMS, FELA KUTI & ANGELIQUE KIDJO. 

Believing so much in nature, Akinwale feels its natural for him to be a musician despite the fact that he studied PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION at the LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, He found out that he could play musical instruments without formal training & knowing that talent is not enough he took his time to learn both his vocal exertion and guitar to obtain absolute dexterity
 Akinwale is a versatile Musician with Jazz, Soul, Pop and Ethnic background well known for his energetic and entertaining stage charisma.. taking the guitar to the audience is always a catchy moment as he always intrigues his fans with great showmanship skill added with his seductive voice.
 He performed virtually in all Jazz lounges in Lagos Island, its no gainsaying to call him a virtuoso because of  his "dexterous guitar skill" added with his "unique African voice"

 He worked with many Artistes especially as a "session musician" since he was 12 years old while playing the Lap steel guitar, He was among the few Nigerians to play "Steel Guitar" in contemporary music. He picked up the electric GUITAR when he was 17years old after high school. He was the lead guitarist at the 2010 Nokia first chance music reality show held in Lagos Nigeria. Learning all around the world of music has really helped his musicianship. 

 The 27 years old strategic thinker recorded his first two songs in 2009 but he was never at content with the productions. In 2011, He recorded a great Afro Pop Song entitled IFE MO-DE meaning (Love i am back)http://kiwi6.com/file/101c8t7kvl till date this song captures attentions of many listeners because of the catchy lyrical rhymes with the overdrive guitar synchronizing the melody. The song was added to the South African Sheer Music compilation in 2013.
 Working with one of the Johannesburg renowned music producer (Mark Watson) on his anticipated Album entitled ALAFIA (Peace)

 His first performance at ALL SEASON PLAZA LAGOS was a great musical delivery where he outwitted others with his dexterous guitar skill added with the seductive voice.                                                                                                              

Subsequently he performed at the TERRA KULTURE Afro-Jazz project Lagos island Nigeria, in 2010, He was the "opening act" for the Nigerian international singer "ASA" and the Benin Republic Music Legend "Ben Neil Oliver" at the FRENCH CULTURAL CENTRE Lagos, Also he subsequently performed at the Tribeka, Ocean view,  Eko Hotels and suites Lagos Island, Apapa Boat Club, Lekki Boat Club, NollyWood Beach Lagos, The Auto Lounge, Golden gate IKOYI LAGOS, ALL SEASON PLAZA, 2010 LAGOS/MUSON JAZZ FESTIVAL, 2011 Calabar Jazz Festival with(Naijazz), 2011 NIGERIAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AWARD hosted by "Enquirer magazine" and he also Performed alongside the Greek Nigerian based Artiste Papa Dopulous, Mike Aremu, and Segun Obe, at the  2012 "Soul Jazz Session" held at "The Soul Lounge" Lagos Island... Just to mention few.

Internationally he performed at the 2011 BENIN REPUBLIC JAZZ-AFRIQUE FESTIVAL, Easter Ecstasy in Madagascar, JOHANNESBURG THEATRE, MOYO MELROSE ARCH, SOPHIATOWN, Winnie's in Sandton, NIKI'S OASIS, JOY OF JAZZ FESTIVAL, SAVOY THEATRE in PORT ELIZABETH with (Malvory Adams), THE GUILD THEATRE in EAST LONDON with (Malvory Adams) NEXTAZY in GERMISTON, 2014!OKTOBERFEST in PRETORIA with (Jon Delinger) he also performed alongside South African great Musicians "Yvonne Chaka Chaka" and "Oskido" at the "iStart2Sing Festival" Constitutional Hill in BRAAMFONTEIN just to mention few..

WORKING ON HIS UPCOMING PROJECT....
Birth Names: Akinwale James Koleosho.
Stage Name: Akinwale.
Instruments: Vocal, Guitar, Lap steel Guitar..
Genre          : Afro/Soul/Pop/Ethnic/Nu-Jazz
               https://soundcloud.com/user5961641/ife-mo-de
http://kiwi6.com/file/101c8t7kvl
www.youtube.com/user/akstrings
www.myspace.com/akstrings006 
   
Facebook: Akinwale James
         Youtube: Akinwale James
Twitter: @Akinwale006
Instagram: @Akinwale006
Mobile: +2774 704 4718

INFLUENCES: STEVIE WONDER, LIONEL RICHIE, ANGELIQUE KIDJO, MARVIN GAYE,
  TRACY CHAPMAN, PAPA WEMBA, ASA, NAT KING COLE, ,GEORGE BENSON, WES MONTGOMERY, EBENEZER OBEY, FELA KUTI, CARLOS SANTANA....

INTERESTS: RECORDINGS/PERFORMANCES/PROMOTIONS.

photographer & Journalist at Voices of Cultre

YemiConga is a naturally gifted Professional Percussionist/Artist born in Lagos State, hails from Abeokuta Ogun State, Nigeria, He is based in Atlanta Georgia. His music represents Africa and his originality!! He has performed with Major Artist from South Africa e.g. Lira, Donk Laka, Selaelo Selota, Zonke Dikana, Kunle Ayo, Theo Kgosinkwe, Lulu Dikana and more...He has also recorded albums with local and also international Artist like Giovance Ostina from Holland. He has performed at major festivals in South Africa and also around the world. He represented West Africa at the 1st World Art and Culture in Johannesburg. His a very creative musician with lot of passion for the African drum and making music around the world.

He labels his direction in music Alternative Afrobeat. The music of the Nigerian-American composer, percussionist and vocalist - Tosin Aribisala - speaks highly of his multidimensional approach to his music – a fusion of jazz, gospel, rock, folk, Afrobeat and Yoruba rhythms.  Over the years, Tosin has drawn inspirations from his musical influences: Tony Allen, Fela Kuti, Art Blakey, Bob Marley, Weather Report (Joe Zawinul) and Sting. 

Besides his propulsive groove on the drum set, Tosin also writes and sings in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English - languages he speaks fluently from his childhood days in Lagos, Nigeria. 

As a multicultural-oriented individual, Tosin recently collaborated with the multiple GRAMMY award winner - pianist Arturo O’Farrell and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and this led to the release of his latest single titled “The Big Illusion.” Tosin has shared the stage with Hugh Masekela, Femi Kuti, Fatoumata Diawara, and many other collaborations. With passion for teaching, Tosin continues to inspire both the young and older generations of drummers and music lovers through his teaching programs and workshops.

Endorsements: Evans Drums Head. Vic Firth Sticks. Sabian Cymbals

Tosin Aribisala is following