Jimi Solanke

Jimi Solanke
Born July 1942
Lagos State, Nigeria.
Nationality Nigerian
Ethnicity Yoruba
Citizenship Nigerian
Occupation
Film actor
Playwright
Poet
Relatives Solanke Sayo (daughter)[1]

Jimi Solanke (born July 1942) is a Nigerian film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet and playwright.[2][3][4]

Early life

Solanke graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma certificate in drama.[5]

Career

After graduation, Solanke moved to the United States, where he created a drama group called The Africa Review, focusing on African culture. Members of this group usually put on African clothing, specifically Yoruba costume. They performed in black African schools.[6] Solanke established himself in Los Angeles, California, where his storytelling career began. He was described as a "master storyteller" by CNN.[7]

In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with three members of the African Review group to work with the Nigerian Television Authority.[8] His reputation earned him the lead role in most of Ola Balogun's films.[9] He was part of the team that made the film of Kongi's Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

Filmography

References

  1. Umukoro, Arukaino (June 30, 2013). "My father shares household chores with my mum — Jimi Solanke’s daughter". punchng.com. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  2. Alakam, Japhet (April 8, 2012). "Night of Poets at the Lagos Black Heritage Festival". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  3. Abeniji, Gbenga (November 16, 2014). "Tales by bedside lamps". punchng.com. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  4. "Cultural Rebirth At Lagos Black Heritage Festival". thisdaylive.com. April 20, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  5. Dada, Oladele (November 26, 2014). "Jimi Solanke: Foremost story teller". Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  6. Meyer-Dinkgräfe, Daniel (May 20, 2003). Who's Who in Contemporary World Theatre. New York: Routledge. p. 284. ISBN 1134767862. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  7. Kermeliotis, Teo (January 6, 2012). "Master storyteller brings folk tales to life". CNN. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  8. "Jimi Solanke: Hats off for a veteran at 70". dailyindependentnig.com. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  9. Balogun, Adeola. "We shared intelligence and wine with Wole Soyinka". www.punchng.com. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
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