Bukky Leo and Black Egypt at Komedia
Published 9th Feb 2007 by Chris Challis

Innovative Afro-centric grooves from one the forerunners of the acid-jazz scene who has played with some of the greatest US/African jazz musicians - Bukky Leo is without doubt a World class Saxophonist.

Growing up in Lagos Nigeria, Bukky Leo was spotted practising his first saxophone by the original Afro-beat drummer Tony Allen. He was immediately ushered into Tony’s newly formed band. Bukky went on to play with the great Fela Kuti where the seeds of Afro-beat were being sown.

In 1982, Bukky's path led him to London, where he became one of the forerunners of the Acid-jazz scene. A young A&R man called Giles Peterson (Radio 1) signed him to the newly formed Acid Jazz label. His first release Rejoice in Righteousness was at the heart of the Acid Jazz world, and it went straight to # 1 in the Rhythm and Blues, Dance and Jazz charts. The follow up album River Nile led him to being nominated for the US African Music Awards in New York, and it was there he became aquatinted with the legendary late tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson.

Since the Acid-jazz days, he has remained loyal to his goal of making ground-breaking Afro-centric grooves. In the mid 90s, he embarked on the definitive pilgrimage to Egypt where he laid down the intellectual and musical foundations for the formation of Black Egypt. After nine years of developing their sound, Black Egypt have emerged as the most important Afro-beat group outside Nigeria.

BUKKY LEO visits Komedia on Thursday 8 March at 9pm. Tickets are £10 adcv/£12 on door available from the Box Office on 01273 647100 (booking fees apply).

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