Biography
Digital Press Kit (click to download)
AGENT: BOB WILSON
Telephone: 1-819-685-9871
Mobile: 1-416-886-6894
Email: bob@thewilsonagency.ca
Tour Dates
“ ….DK has the voice, stage presence and personality to make it big in this business, and “I’m Your Man” might be just the recording to bring him the recognition he so richly deserves.” --- Jaymz Bee, Jazz.FM
In recent years, Canada has become an important incubator for the latest best selling jazz vocalists including Diana Krall, Holly Cole, Molly Johnson, Michael Buble, Sophie Millman – and the list continues to grow. The latest hot new vocal talent is DK Ibomeka (pronounced ee-bo-MECK-ah) and industry insiders are saying that DK possesses one of the best new jazz voices in years.
With a three-octave range, huge emotional depth and power, he is well-equipped to deliver a decidedly original spin on the classic jazz material he has chosen for his second album “I’m Your Man”.
The 2006 release of his Debut CD “Love Stories” in Europe and Canada launched DK on a two-year whirlwind of appearances that saw him touring Europe four times, debut in the UK at London’s Ronnie Scott’s and criss-cross his home country of Canada, with performances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, The Ottawa Jazz Festival, The Toronto jazz Festival and the Winnipeg Jazz Festival - and a wide range of concert opening slots.
In Europe DK toured with the legendary Pee Wee Ellis in his band and also toured as a featured vocalist with the Diva Jazz Orchestra. In Canada he performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo symphony orchestra .
“Love Stories” quickly rose to the Top Ten jazz radio charts in Canada when it was released in June. In+Out Records launched the album to strong reviews in the UK and much of Europe in the fall of 2006. DK received enthusiastic press support and a “Playlist Pick” in the December 2006 issue of MOJO magazine for his performance of “Dedicated To You” from “Love Stories”: “The cream spills over on this version of a Billy Eckstein-Sarah Vaughn duet by a Canuck jazz/R+B singer with Nigerian roots”.
On his second recording, "I'm Your Man" DK is backed by some of Canada’s finest players (George Koller on bass, Davide DiRenzo on percussion, Michael Shand and Kelley Jefferson on Sax) with a special guest appearance by Pee Wee Ellis (long-time band leader for Van Morrison and member of the legendary James Brown Horn Section - the JB’s). With the bulk of the sessions being recorded over four days, the album reflects the live performance energy of DK’s live shows.
DK Ibomeka's third studio album will be released in the summer of 2010. The album, tentatively titled: I Had This Dream, will see Ibomeka return to his songwriting roots, working with some of the top songwriters in Canada (Lori Cullen, Aaron Davis, Kevin Breit, George Koller, Michael Shand, Steve McKinnon and others). The album will embody the worlds of jazz, blues, folk and roots and will centre around DK's 3 octave range and his ability to wrap his deep rich baritone around a song. The songs will demonstrate the passion that Ibomeka brings to his live shows, that have been experience by fans across Europe, the US and Canada.
At six foot seven DK Ibomeka seizes the stage with his charismatic presence and a mesmerizing voice. With the strong audience response he has received on his many tours, It’s no surprise that performing live and touring are what DK loves most about his life as a musician - the opportunity to connect with an audience, to give and receive a special kind of energy. DK will follow up the release of “I’m Your Man” with ongoing touring through the year.
“Ibomeka's sophomore outing finds him firmly ensconced in his own voice, showcasing the lower end of a three-octave range. This is a solid jazz record comprised of standards ….and standout players. … Ibomeka brings fire to a bluesy rendition of Nina Simone's "I Put a Spell on You."” --- Ashante Infantry, Toronto Star