Amobi

~*~ On the same day Barak Obama became president of the U.S.A Amobi..s song 'I Believe' won a substantial cash, 1st prize, ~*~ plus interviews & airplay on Radio France, in the 2009 Les Vignes D..Or international singer/songwriter competition in five catagories. 'I Believe' was inspired by the third world-'war on terror', & Obama..s victory is a major milestone for the American Civil Rights movement & the people of the world ( judges comments) Amobi is evocative of some of the best male vocalists of our time. A master work of art!

The Hollywood Reporter/Billboard magazine has run a feature about Amobi & included 'I Believe' in their compilation CD distributed across the U.S.A & at their annual conference at the Beverly Hills Hilton.
London (Camden to be exact) born and based, Amobi has a powerful, rich, penetrating sound that washes over you in waves. Being of Nigerian/Scottish descent, his unique and diverse approach to music bears witness to a multicultural background.

While still at school, Amobi frequented the London live music scene way before he was of legal age.

Whilst being inspired by the sounds of Soul, Funk & Reggae on the streets of Camden, at home his Nigerian father was inspired with the music of Africa i.e. “Fela Kuti”, “King Sunny Ade”, “Baba Maal” and “Youssou N`Dour”.

In his late teens he found himself following his passion for music and singing, winning a full scholarship (awarded by Cameron Mackintosh) to The London Studio Centre Institute of Performing Arts. Within two years he had landed a principal role in the West End production of “Miss Saigon”, followed by further principal roles in “Carmen Jones” and the acclaimed ”Five Guys Named Mo”.

~*~ After achieving success in the West End and thereby gaining an incredible amount of experience, stage craft as well as recognition from critics, he was invited to the U.S.A. and Australia, to tour with his band ”AMOBI”. There he performed original music which he had written in his dressing room whilst in the West End.

In his spare time, working alongside local North London musicians and producers such as Shut Up & Dance, he went on to win two Dolphin awards for ”Best Single” and “Best Male Vocalist”.

He then returned to London to appear as principal artist in the West End production of “Notre Dame de Paris”. At this time he also collaborated with virtuoso gypsy flamenco guitarist Tito Heredia, creating a beautiful and spiritual union of ethnic blending. This collaboration inspired the forming of Flamenco-Fusion Company “Alegría” featuring the renowned flamenco dancer Talia.

Following their debut performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, they were invited to tour South East Asia on several occasions, collaborating with some of India and Pakistan’s finest musicians including the legendary Naheed Saddiqui . Alegría head- lined events such as the Lahore World Music Festival, Delhi Fashion Week, Mumbai International Music Festival and the Kerala Festival of Cultural Arts.

Another stint in theatre followed after he was cast, following in the foot steps of Martha Reeves & Edwin Star as MC/Narrator in the Motowns West End hit Musical “Dancing in the Streets”, for which he obtained rave reviews.

Since then, he has written material for his new album “Tribe of Soul”, intended to be a true reflection of his cultural diversity and which he is planning to release and tour in 2009, with his hot new band, including Donald Gamble (formerly with Courtney Pine) on percussion and the exquisitely talented Chris Newland on Guitar.

In March of this year, he appeared at The Young Vic as Barney in the new contemporary musical “Been so Long”.

Aside from his extensive West End credits and live music tours, Amobi has been featured artist on Television and Film commercials for products such as Pringles, Just Juice, TDK, Skittles, Toyota and Mercedes Benz.

Other credits include his work for the award winning documentaries “Journey to the Moon” and “Flight over the Equator”, both for ABC Network and a featured Single on “BBC” concept album produced by George Martin