Soultone Artist: Akinfemi Akinwale

AKINFEMI AKINWALE

If Soultone is fertile ground, then Akinfemi is a good seed. He understands that what is done away from the drum is just as important as what is done behind the drum. But when he gets behind a drum though, it is pretty hard to get him away from it!

Akinfemi Akinwale was born and raised in Los Angeles (and he has a smile to match the sunshine!) He started off playing on mom’s pot & pans & old coffee cans. At the age of eight, a man by the name of Louis Shervington decided to replace those spoons with drumsticks. Since then, he has grown tremendously. Being brought up in church makes him fluent in gospel. But due to his Nigerian background, he is also proficient in reggae, soukous, makosa, and other West African rhythms. His musical vocabulary is extensive; as it includes jazz and even symphonic percussion. He currently can be found playing for his college jazz bands, percussion ensemble, Bethel Unspeakable Joy Church Praise Team, The Jazz Monks, and pretty much anybody who lets him!

His story is not finished, his legacy has begun….to be continued.