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Jimi Solanke

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Jimi Solanke
Born(1942-07-04)4 July 1942
Died5 February 2024(2024-02-05) (aged 81)
Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
CitizenshipNigerian
Alma materUniversity of Ibadan
Occupation(s)
Film actor
Playwright
Poet Folk Singer Dramatist
Known forKongi's Harvest, Sango, Shadow Parties
RelativesOyinkansola Solanke, Kehinde Solanke, Arole Taiwo Solanke, Seun Solanke, Lope Solanke, Sayo Solanke, Sola Solanke [1]

Jimi Solanke Listen (4 July 1942 – 5 February 2024) was a Nigerian film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet and playwright.[2][3][4]

Early life

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

Career

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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 NTA. He also played the minstrel on the children's show Storyland.[8] [9] His reputation earned him the lead role in most of Ola Balogun's films.[10] He was part of the team that made the film of Kongi's Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.[11]

Death

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Solanke died at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria on 5 February 2024, at the age of 81.[12]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Umukoro, Arukaino (30 June 2013). "My father shares household chores with my mum — Jimi Solanke's daughter". punchng.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  2. ^ Alakam, Japhet (8 April 2012). "Night of Poets at the Lagos Black Heritage Festival". vanguardngr.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  3. ^ Abeniji, Gbenga (16 November 2014). "Tales by bedside lamps". punchng.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Cultural Rebirth At Lagos Black Heritage Festival". thisdaylive.com. 20 April 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  5. ^ Dada, Oladele (26 November 2014). "Jimi Solanke: Foremost story teller". Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  6. ^ Meyer-Dinkgräfe, Daniel (20 May 2003). Who's Who in Contemporary World Theatre. New York: Routledge. p. 284. ISBN 1134767862. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  7. ^ Kermeliotis, Teo (6 January 2012). "Master storyteller brings folk tales to life". CNN. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Jimi Solanke: Hats off for a veteran at 70". dailyindependentnig.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ Jimi Solanke Storyteller First Rap
  10. ^ Balogun, Adeola. "We shared intelligence and wine with Wole Soyinka". www.punchng.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  11. ^ NgFinders (29 October 2019). "Jimi Solanke: Biography, Age, Career, Family And Movies". Ngfinders.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Veteran actor Jimi Solanke dies at 81". Punch. 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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