Funsho Ogundipe

Who is Funsho Ogundipe?

Funsho Ogundipe is a Nigerian pianist, Music director and composer. He is also a writer and film maker. Ogundipe is primarily known for his work with the Afrobeat band Ayetoro . He has also written music for theatre in Ghana.

Biography

Ogundipe was born in lagos. He has an unsual background in that he studied law at both the University of ife and the Nigerian law school and then become a stockbroker before eventually heading up the corporate finance department at Prudent Bank a Nigerian Bank which his father S Olagunju Ogundipe a Nigerian economist and Writer founded. But he gave all that up for the love of music. His father then chairman of Prudent Bank, at first objected to this career move, but when none other than Lágbájá sent him a complimentary ticket to watch his son play at the famous Motherland venue in Lagos, he changed his mind. Ogundipe would later serve a Non executive Director in the same bank for four years after his father's death.

Musical Style Ogundipe's music is based on Afrobeat with a jazz core. As bandleader of Ayetoro he works within the Jazz and Afrobeat fields and is respected for both his original Piano style and his compositions which range from straight ahead afrobeat to the avant garde.