Kunle Ayo is a popular Nigerian multi–award winning guitarist/jazz musician who has made remarkable achievements in the music industry.
Kunle was born on the September 1974 to Yoruba parents in Epe area of Lagos State, Nigeria. He is one of African’s most celebrated guitarists in our contemporary time.
Many describe Kunle as an icon who has ranked with music giants of the contemporary school like George Benson, Earl Klugh and locally based Jimmy Dludlu.
Kunle presently lives with his family in Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa.
Kunle Ayo’s Educational Background
Kunle Ayo attented Saka Tinubu Memorial High School Agege, Lagos State between 1987- 1991.
He later moved to South Africa where he bagged a degree and went into music fully.
Kunle Ayo’s Career
Kunle Ayo began his music journey some years back and has made tremendous improvement in the industry, leaving his fans inspired and brimming with positive energy for every show he performs.
Kunle has done good number of dazzling live performances with several albums, several gospel projects and Live DVD recordings shot in South Africa and London respectively.
At the young age of 28, Kunle Ayo was recording and playing with some of Nigeria’s internationally respected artists, including Chief Ebenezer Obey, Kayode Olajide and the enigmatic Lagbaja (The Masked One) with whom he toured Europe, North Africa and South America.
In 2005, Kunle set up his own company, K Cool Productions. He has so far produced music for talented acts like MXO, KB and Simphiwe Dana to name a few.
Kunle has become the most sought after performer and has participated in a number of notable jazz festivals, namely:
- Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
- Cape Town International Jazz Festival
- Calabar Jazz Festival, Nigeria National Arts Festival
- Grahams Town, Harare International Festival of Arts
- Zimbabwe Go-Jazz Festival at the Jazz Café
- London Safaricom Jazz Festival, Kenya among many others.
The talented music icon is not only limited to his guitar and performing prowess, but has also made a significant prowess in his artistic flairs including producing music for talented acts like MXO, Judith Sephuma, KB, Asanda Bam and Simphiwe Dana, amongst others.
Awards
Kunle Ayo has in the course of his music career won several awards notably as:
2004 – Kora Awards – Beyond The Borders – Best Male West Artist (West Africa) Category
2005 – Channel O Awards – Slowly But Surely (Single), Beyond The Borders (Album) -Best Jazz Video
2009 – Nigeria Achievement Award – Best Musical Group, Kunle Ayo And His Band (Awarded By President Goodluck Jonathan)
2011 – Metro FM Award – Best Of Both Worlds – Best Contemporary Jazz Album
2015 – AFRIMA Award – Best Jazz Artist In Africa
2017 – Nigeria Community Excellence Award – Best Overall Nigerian Music Artist
2017 – SAAFMA Awards – Best Afro Jazz Album
Kunle Ayo’s Relationship
Kunle Ayo is happily married to his secondary school friend, Adeola. They are best of friends and have been married for many years now.
The marriage is blessed with beautiful children.
Happily enough, Adeola is Mr. Kunle Ayo’s manager.
Kunle is very popular on social media. He has close to 10,000 followers on Instagram and more than 2,000 followers on Facebook.
Kunle Ayo’s Net Worth
Kunle Ayo is one of the richest and most influential Nigerian musicians with an estimated net worth of about $800,000 dollars.
You can follow Kunle Ayo on:
Instagram: @ Kunleayo
Facebook: – Kunle Ayo.
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