Prodigious composer, performer, Kehinde Oretimehin steps out with ‘The Kabiyesi 1’, Feb10

KEHINDE Oremehin, perhaps the most engqged and hardworking composer/arranger/conductor on the Nigeria Musical theatre stage on current basis, is stepping out boldly on Friday, February 10 to show the products of his prodigious talent and skills.

Titled The Kabiyesi 1, the concert – holding at the Alliance Francaise, Mike Adenuga Centre, 9 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos – is styled
“A Tin Jubilee of the Nigerian Musical theatre compositions by Kehinde Oretimehin”, will commence at 5pm, and showcase the artiste’s contributions to such popular musical theatres as:

Awolowo | Saro | Wakaa | Fela and the Kalakuta Queens | Habiba | Moremi | Flower | Living L’Abuja Loca | Speaking out | Igbeyawo, and other such wave making musicals in recent Nigerian theatre stage.

The various songs and compositions will parade top-biller performers including, Shallom Matthew | Mojisola Kadiri | Bridget Nkem | Ralph Okoro | Oluchi Odii |Chidinma Nebo (Shimmer Goddess) | Tosin Adeyemi | Onyegbula Sharon Adaeze | J’Dess | Chef Gibbs | MAWUYON! | Rasheed Rawsh Aluko | Linda1Nneka | Oscar Chihurumnanya | Bernard Smiless | Moshood Fattah;
and the ageless, divalicious singer and performer, Yinka Davies.

…Here comes The Kabiyesi Award

A distinction graduate of the prestigeous Musical Society of Nigeria, MUSON, the composer, arranger and performer, also informed that his outfit, Kabiyei Studios, will soon launched its prime project, The Kabiyesi Award, which is fashioned after renowned global reward system for outstanding performances in the arts, such as the Oscar and the Grammys.

Stated Oretimehin: “The Oscar is the academy award for technical and artistic excellence in the American Film industry

“The Emmys are international awards for artistic, scientific, and technical excellence in America and international television industry

“Grammy is an international recognition by the Recording Academy of the United States for outstanding achievement in the Music industry

“There are several awards annually for excellence and outstanding achievements in Music and Drama industries, the BET awards, The OLIVIER award etc! The Tony award which is specifically for the Musical theatre Excellence!

“The Kabiyesi award (coming soon) is for excellence and outstanding performances in the Nigerian Musical theatre Scene!”

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PROFILE

AN astute musician with intrinsic flair for music; songwriting, arranging and teaching, Oretimehin Kehinde Solomon started his music career as a church choir in Deeperlife church under the tutelage of Dr. Albert Oikelomen. 

Upon graduation from the polytechnic where he studied electrical and electronic engineering technology, he got scholarship to study Voice at the Prestigious MUSON school of music sponsored by the MTN Foundation from which he graduated as the best and first MTN Foundation student. He also won the award for ”practical musicianship” for his ability to write music, perform music and teach music.

Kenny, as he is fondly called, was taught piano, harmony, choral and orchestra conducting, form and analysis, composition at the school by the best pedagogists such as the Directors of MUSON school, Mrs Marion Akpata, Mrs Edna Soyannwo, Sir Emeka Nwokedi, Chief Lt Enesi Salawu (rtd). He also got numerous master classes from professionals and expatriates.

After teaching music in schools for about twenty years Kenny got introduced to musical theatre by his classmate and friend Ayo Ajayi where he works at the music department of the leading theatre companies in west Africa, notably ,BOLANLE AUSTEEN PETERS PRODUCTION and many others as the Music director, songwriter and vocal coach.

Kenny was also the Conductor, Orchestrator, music arranger and composer for the Vesta Orchestra, the most entertaining Orchestra in Nigeria.

With various visit to the united states and united kingdom he acquired skills in global performances and delivery of the arts. 

Kehinde was an African Music lecturer at the MUSON Diploma School of Music, he is currently the President of the prestigious MUSON School Alumni and has been involved in numerous stage plays and musicals in Nigeria such as, SARO, WAKAA, Hearword Pidgin, Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, Moremi the Musical, USM, Habiba, Isale Eko, Love and Recession, Ineh The Musical, Ada the Country, Olurombi the Musical, Igbeyawo The Musical written and directed by him, Patches, Awo the Musical, Death and the King’s horseman, Chioma the Musical, Ije the Musical, Flower The musical, speaking out, I am Lagos, Ini the Musical, Living L’Abuja Loca etc

His compositions and arrangements for different voices and instruments are performed for different first-class events, examinations, auditions, recitals, concerts all over the world.

Based on his deep theoretical knowledge of muaic, qnd capability to proficiently analyse and discuss music extensively, Kehinde was headhunted to anchor a music column at The Guardian on Sunday under the edutorship of Jahman Anikulapo. He thus anchored the then popular Music Doctor column in The GuardianLife magazine for about two years.