Olu Dara


Olu Dara Jones is an American cornetist, guitarist, and singer. He is the father of rapper Nas.

Career

Olu Dara was born Charles Jones III January 12, 1941, in Natchez, Mississippi.
In 1963, he moved to New York City and changed his name to Olu Dara, which means "God is good" in the Yoruba language. In the 1970s and '80s he played alongside David Murray, Henry Threadgill, Hamiet Bluiett, Don Pullen, Charles Brackeen, James Blood Ulmer, and Cassandra Wilson. He formed two bands, the Okra Orchestra and the Natchezsippi Dance Band.
His first album, , revealed another aspect of his musical personality: the leader and singer of a band immersed in African-American tradition, playing an eclectic mix of blues, jazz, and storytelling, with tinges of funk, African popular music, and reggae. His second album Neighborhoods, with guest appearances by Dr. John and Cassandra Wilson, followed in a similar vein.
Dara played on the album Illmatic by his son, rapper Nas, and on the song "Dance", also by Nas, and he sang on Nas's song "Bridging the Gap".

Discography

As leader

With Material'
With Charles Brackeen
With Rhys Chatham
With Carlos Garnett
With Corey Harris
With Craig Harris
With David Murray
With Nas
  • 1994 Illmatic
  • 2002 God's Son
  • 2004 Bridging the Gap
  • 2004 Street's Disciple
With Jamaaladeen Tacuma
  • 1983 Show Stopper
  • 1984 Renaissance Man
With Henry Threadgill
With James Blood Ulmer
With Cassandra Wilson
With others