BREAKING NEWS: CHIEF JIMI SOLANKE IS DEAD
Chief Jimi Solanke is one of the foremost African dramatists. Born 1942 and died 5th February, 2024.
Jimi Solanke was a Nigerian film actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet and playwright, Solanke graduated from the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a diploma certificate in drama.
After graduation, Solanke moved to the United States, where he created a drama group called The Africa Review, focusing on African culture. Members of this group usually put on African clothing, specifically Yoruba costume. They performed in black African schools. Solanke established himself in Los Angeles, California, where his storytelling career began. He was described as a “master storyteller” by CNN.
In 1986, he returned to Nigeria with three members of the African Review group to work with the Nigerian Television Authority. His reputation earned him the lead role in most of Ola Balogun’s films. He was part of the team that made the film of Kongi’s Harvest by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
Filmography
Kongi’s Harvest (film)
Sango (film) (1997)
Shadow Parties (2020)
