Ambrose Campbell

This photograph comes from the West African Review, November 1952, p.1155. Apologies for the rather poor quality but it is better to have something than nothing, to commemorate this important Nigerian musician and his band.

Based in London from the 1940s to the 1960s, Ambrose Adekoya Campbell led the enormously influential West African Rhythm Brothers, playing highlife around the city and making a large number of records, issued on 78 and later 45 rpm, on Melodisc.

The band, at the time of the article, consisted of Ambrose Campbell, Ignatius Abiodun Oke, Salustino Dosangous, Ade Bashorun, Latifu Pedro and Tunde Cole.

According to the article, the band "... intends to bring into the limelight the intricacies of the different tribal dance tunes in Nigeria and other West African territories." Guitarist Ignatius Oke is quoted as saying that the diversity of songs is "a measure of our culture, our beliefs and our spiritual affinity... and perhaps also a measure of our greatness and the glories that will be forever Africa".


Ambrose Adekoya Campbell and the West African Rhythm Brothers This photograph comes from the West African Review, November 1952, p.1155. Apologies for the rather poor quality but it is better to have something than nothing, to commemorate this important Nigerian musician and his band. Based in London from the 1940s to the 1960s, Ambrose Adekoya Campbell led the enormously influential West African Rhythm Brothers, playing highlife around the city and making a large number of records, issued on 78 and later 45 rpm, on Melodisc. The band, at the time of the article, consisted of Ambrose Campbell, Ignatius Abiodun Oke, Salustino Dosangous, Ade Bashorun, Latifu Pedro and Tunde Cole. According to the article, the band "... intends to bring into the limelight the intricacies of the different tribal dance tunes in Nigeria and other West African territories." Guitarist Ignatius Oke is quoted as saying that the diversity of songs is "a measure of our culture, our beliefs and our spiritual affinity... and perhaps also a measure of our greatness and the glories that will be forever Africa".




back to Miscellany contents page